Davis delivers $87,000 to Palmer and Leadership Grundy

                                                                                                               

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 for two projects in Grundy County that will inject $87,000 into the county economy for a new first responder vehicle and for leadership training. Ceremonial checks were delivered to Grundy County Mayor LaDue Bouldin and Palmer Mayor Daniel Crabtree 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 Palmer and Grundy County," said Congressman Davis. "These funds will be providing new resources that will better equip our first responders as they answer calls to life threatening emergencies. Additionally, they will support and promote the retention and creation of jobs throughout the county through workforce training."

 

The Rural Development investment to Palmer includes a $60,000 low-interest loan and a $25,000 grant that are funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The city is contributing an additional $5,000 for the purchase. Funds will be used to replace an aging fire truck and equipment that are no longer reliable. The new truck will have a 750-gallon tank, full medical compartment, pre-piped deck gun and ladders. The new vehicle will lower maintenance costs and provide greater reliability.

 

A Rural Development grant of $2,000 and local matching funds of $2,000 will be used by the county for improvements to the Leadership Grundy Adult Education Program. The grant will help local leaders improve the area workforce and assist in the support, creation and retention of small businesses and jobs throughout the county.

 

"Ensuring our first responders have the quality equipment and our local leaders have the tools they need to succeed are key 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 buildings 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.

 

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) is designed to jumpstart the nation's economy, create or save millions of jobs and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. The Act includes measures to modernize our nation's infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need.

 

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 Grundy County contact the Rural Development Area Office in Chattanooga at 423-756-2239, toll free at 1-800-342-3149 extension 1492, or visit us online at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/tn.

 

###