Some of Imperial County’s more disadvantaged rural communities received some much-needed aid as a result of six Economic Impact Initiative grants announced today by U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Director Ben Higgins.
The funding, totaling $97,450, will improve the effectiveness of fire protection agencies in Imperial County.
“These grants reflect our ongoing commitment to ensuring that rural communities have the tools they need to keep people and property safe,” Higgins said. “They make a big difference by providing basic needs, like breathing equipment and emergency vehicles for firefighters. Effective and adequately equipped first responders are an important component of any healthy, vibrant and growing community.”
Three grants totaling $41,950 were awarded to the Imperial County Fire Department to assist with the purchase of extrication equipment for each of their stations in Palo Verde, Heber and Seeley.
Two grants totaling $30,000 were awarded to Salton Community Services District Fire Department to assist with the purchase of fire and breathing apparatus equipment, as well as a water tank and pumper equipment for use on an emergency vehicle.
Some $25,500 was awarded to Winterhaven Fire Protection District to assist with the purchase of an off-road emergency response vehicle.
EII grants are available to rural communities with a not employed rate of greater than 19.5 percent to help develop essential community facilities. A primary goal of the EII program is to provide funding for rural first responder agencies. In the last five years, USDA Rural Development has invested more than $54 million in California to augment the capabilities of first responders in rural areas. These funds have been used by rural communities to purchase, among other critical items, police cars, fire engines, emergency rescue equipment and communications devices.
In addition to the grants in Imperial County, USDA Rural Development has announced eight other projects totaling more than $225,000 in other rural communities throughout California.
— IMPERIAL VALLEY PRESS STAFF
Comments