RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 15, 2024 – Continuity of services is especially important for residents of small towns who may be located miles from their nearest neighbor. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development just invested nearly $250,000 to better equip communities on Virginia’s Northern Neck and Eastern Shore to meet critical needs.
In Westmoreland County, the Cople District Volunteer Fire Department will use a $100,000 disaster grant funded through the Community Facilities Program to purchase replacement Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) needed to ensure firefighter safety and sustain operational efficiency. The department is dependent on donations, grants and fundraisers to provide essential services to this low-income area of nearly 5,000 people, which experienced severe impacts from Tropical Storm Michael.
A $52,500 disaster grant will also help the town of Kilmarnock purchase a public utilities vehicle to support water infrastructure maintenance. The applicant currently has one truck available for these activities and has previously relied on outside contractors to service its wastewater system. The town is receiving this grant to help mitigate impacts of Hurricane Michael, a FEMA-declared disaster in Lancaster County, and is currently making improvements to the wastewater treatment plant with plans to expand services for the more than 1,400 residents.
On the Eastern Shore, the Cape Charles Police Department will use a $28,000 loan and $15,000 grant to update its aging fleet. The properly equipped vehicle will provide safe and reliable transportation for officers patrolling the largest of Northampton County's five incorporated towns. Nearby Exmore is receiving a $50,000 grant to purchase a 2024 service truck to support operation and maintenance of the water and sewer systems for the community of more than 1,400 people.
“Investments like these are vital to sustaining quality of life in rural communities,” Virginia State Director Perry Hickman said. “Our team obligated more than $30 million for community facilities projects in 2023 and we’re starting off strong in 2024 to provide the equipment needed to ensure that residents of eastern Virginia receive the best services possible.”
Other local fire safety and public works projects funded in fiscal year 2023 include:
- A new tanker for the Upper King and Queen Volunteer Fire Department. The $31,500 grant was used to purchase a 2023 truck to replace a 1988 model that can no longer be repaired due to unavailability of replacement parts. The 3,000-gallon capacity will allow the applicant to haul ample water to remote areas and daytime fires to protect the health and safety of more than 1,400 residents of this high unemployment area.
- A $75,600 loan to help the town of Onancock purchase a police vehicle and a public works truck to improve the quality of services provided to the more than 1,000 residents in this high unemployment area.
- A $48,800 loan to finance a law enforcement vehicle and public works equipment for the town of Cape Charles. Officers were patrolling in high mileage vehicles with associated maintenance issues and the public works department had to contract for maintenance services. A new Rough Terrain Vehicle (RTV) with mowing and scraping attachments will be used to keep business streets, alleyways, parking lots and green spaces clean and well-manicured in this community of more than 1,000 residents.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas.
For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov. Visit our GovDelivery subscriber page to receive regular USDA Rural Development updates.
