Cannon County Rescue Squad, Inc. announced this week that they have been awarded a loan and grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development. Chris Hampton, Area Specialist with the Rural Development Area Office in Cookeville, delivered the terms of conditions to the CCRS Responders on Friday, May 8, 2015. Along with the volunteer responders, Cannon County Executive Mike Gannon was on hand for the signing of the conditions letter. Executive Gannon stated, “The USDA has been a good partner for us in the past and continues to be a good partner for us now. We appreciate the low interest loan and the grant. The Rescue Squad has been working hard to purchase a new truck. This new equipment will save lives in Cannon County for many years to come.”
The mission of the USDA Rural Development program is to offer loans, grants, and loan guarantees to support essential services such as housing, economic development, health care, and first responder services/equipment. USDA Rural Development promotes economic development by supporting loans to businesses and organizations through banks, credit unions and community-managed lending pools. USDA Rural Development also helps communities undertake community empowerment programs, and helps rural residents buy or rent safe, affordable housing or make health and safety repairs to their homes.
Funding for the Rescue Squad was received from the Community Facilities Direct Grant and Loan Program. This program is designed to help rural communities with a population of 20,000 or less. After an extensive grant process, lasting more than six months, the Rescue Squad was notified that they were awarded a loan and grant which will go toward the purchase of a new rescue truck.
Michael Underhill, CEO, stated, “We were awarded an $18,000.00 grant and a $97,000.00 loan to purchase a new rescue truck for Cannon County. The grant will pay for a maximum of 15% of the project which is estimated to be about $120,000.00. This is the third time since 2007 we have received funding from Rural Development. The first two awards helped to purchase the rescue truck in 2008 and new rescue equipment in 2013.”
This award will help to replace a 1988 model rescue truck which has been in service for Cannon County for nearly twenty years. Local funds will be needed to help pay for the remaining part of the project. The grant and low interest loan will help our rural communities with the cost of replacing this twenty-seven year old rescue vehicle.
For more information on becoming a volunteer responder with the Cannon County Rescue Squad, Inc., visit our website at www.CannonCountyRescue.com and contact Michael Underhill, CEO, at 615-904-5002 or by email at MUnderhill@CannonCountyRescue.com .
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