U.S.
Congressman Gutknecht Celebrates Arrival
of
New Ambulance in
Heron
Lake
$15,000
grant from USDA Rural Development helped finance ambulance purchase
HERON LAKE
,
Minn.
Aug. 24 – U.S. Congressman Gil Gutknecht joined officials from Rural
Development in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and officials from the
city of Heron Lake for a check presentation and celebration today.
The city was celebrating the arrival a new ambulance, made
possible in part from a $15,000 grant from USDA Rural Development.
“Projects that USDA Rural Development finances get used
every day, such as homes, apartments, hospitals, and water systems,” Gutknecht
said. “While we hope that this ambulance never has to be used, we must provide
local communities with the best possible equipment in the case of an emergency.
USDA Rural Development plays a major role in preparing rural communities for
emergencies.”
The total cost of the ambulance was $104,461. The city
financed the remaining $89,641 of the purchase through reserve funds.
“President Bush recognizes the unique needs of rural
communities and works to meet those needs,” said Steve Wenzel, State Director
of USDA Rural Development in
Minnesota
. “Congressman Gutknecht also works closely with our office to serve the needs
of rural communities in his district. Because of the strong leadership
demonstrated by President Bush and Congressman Gutknecht, combined with
effective local leadership, USDA Rural Development is able to improve the
quality of life in rural communities.”
USDA Rural Development has funding available for housing,
clean water, hospitals, high-speed Internet, economic development, job creation
and other essential infrastructure. Since 2001, the agency has invested over
$2.1 billion throughout
Minnesota
.
For more information on USDA Rural Development, visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/mn,
or call the office in
Worthington
at (507) 372-7783.
Larry Liepold, ambulance director for the city of Heron Lake, displays
the city's new ambulance. |
U.S. Congressman Gil Gutknecht checks out the new ambulance. USDA Rural
development helped purchase the ambulance with a $15,000 grant. |
