Davis delivers $400,000 for Fentress County first responders

                                                                                                               

August 6, 2009 - MANCHESTER, Tenn.—U.S. Representative Lincoln Davis, USDA Rural Development Administrator Tammye Trevino and Acting State Director Robert Connelly, Jr. today announced federal funding of $400,000 to Fentress County Emergency Medical Services for three new ambulances and equipment. A ceremonial check was delivered to Fentress County Mayor John Mullinix at Rep. Davis' Sixth Annual Small Business and Federal Grants Seminar held in Manchester on August 5-6.

 

"I thank USDA Rural Development for investing in live saving equipment for the folks in Fentress County," said Congressman Davis. "These funds will go a long way toward ensuring our medical technicians have the most modern equipment they need during that important time following an accident or other life threatening situations."

 

Rural Development Funding includes a Rural Development $180,000 low-interest loan and a $220,000 grant under the agency's Community Facilities program. The new vehicles will serve the Jamestown and Clarkrange areas. By replacing three aging, high mileage vehicles and adding state-of-the-art cardiac equipment, emergency personnel will be able to improve response time and provide additional critical services en route.

 

"Access to good healthcare is critical to the economic health and quality of life in rural communities," said Connelly. "Thanks to the support of Congressman Lincoln Davis, Rural Development has the financial and technical resources to partner with local leaders to improve the lives and livelihoods of the people they serve."

 

Rural Development’s community facilities program uses direct loans, loan guarantees and grants to provide rural areas with the financial resources to construct or improve essential services like healthcare, education, civic infrastructure and first responder facilities. The loan-guarantee program encourages private lenders to expand their investment of capital in rural communities. Community facilities programs target rural areas with a population less than 20,000.

 

USDA Rural Development invests in rural communities through business development, community and homeownership programs. Last year Rural Development assisted more than 678,000 Tennessee families and businesses with more than $435 million in financial assistance through affordable loans, loan guarantees and grants.

 

For more information on Rural Development programs available in Fentress County contact the Rural Development Area Office in Cookeville at 931-528-6539 ext. 2, toll free at 1-800-342-3149 extension 1493, or visit us online at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/tn.

 

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