With a new four-wheel drive police vehicle on the way to Pennsylvania’s rural Shenandoah Borough, local residents can rest assured that they will have a reliable emergency response vehicle as cold weather approaches. Congressman Tim Holden and USDA Rural Development State Director Thomas Williams visited the borough hall recently to make the official announcement.
An $18,000 Community Facilities Economic Impact Initiative (EII) Grant combined with funds from the borough will supply sufficient funding for the purchase of a new four-wheel drive police cruiser that will enable the Shenandoah police force to respond to emergencies despite weather conditions in the rolling hillsides of Shenandoah. “Rural residents must live in areas that are safe,” Williams said. “USDA’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities.”
Rural Development’s funding continues to have a dramatic impact on rural communities across Pennsylvania. Since 2009, the agency has invested nearly $204 million in essential public facilities to help Pennsylvania families and communities build a better future. Through the Community Facilities program, Rural Development helps finance and develop essential community facilities for public use in rural areas.
EII Grants are specifically for economically distressed rural communities. These funds are only available to those areas of extreme high unemployment and severe economic depression – those communities where the “not employed” rate is greater than 19.5 percent. Selection is competitive, with priority to communities having the lowest population and media household incomes.
For more information on the Community Facilities program or EII program, click here.