U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Pennsylvania State Director Michael Cabell announced that Connoquenessing Township Fire Company and Relief Association will receive $4 million for a new fire station, and West Mead Township will receive $400,077 to purchase a new fire truck.
State Director Cabell said, “The investments in Connoquenessing and West Mead Townships increase emergency response capacity and capability to nearly 10,000 residents in western Pennsylvania. National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is a perfect reminder of the brave work of fire departments, and we’re proud to play an essential role in funding indispensable equipment for rural Pennsylvanian Fire Departments.”
The Connoquenessing Township investment comes through a Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant totaling $4 million. The Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company and Relief Association will construct a new fire station to store multiple fire and rescue vehicles along with meeting rooms, bunkrooms, kitchen, and community space. The new facility will allow critical fire and rescue services to the area and will also serve as the local emergency shelter for the 4,931 residents of Connoquenessing Borough and Township in Butler County Pennsylvania.
The West Mead Township District No. 1 Volunteer Fire Company will use a $400,077 Community Facilities Grant to purchase and equip a new fire truck to provide critical emergency and fire response services to 5,014 rural residents of West Mead Township.
USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities Programs offer direct loans, loan guarantees and grants to develop or improve essential public services and facilities in communities across rural America. These investments strengthen critical community infrastructure, enhance quality of life, and help rural towns attract and retain businesses and services. To learn more about these programs, contact USDA Rural Development Community Facilities staff at (717) 237-2199. For more information on USDA Rural Development investments in rural America, visit the Rural Data Gateway. The Rural Data Gateway is an online tool that strengthens USDA Rural Development partnerships with rural people, entrepreneurs, government officials and Congress by making investment data accessible to the public.
Learn more online at www.rd.usda.gov, subscribe to GovDelivery updates, and follow us on X at @RD_Pennsylvania.