Staff Report —
Four Eastern Shore locations are among 15 in Virginia to receive a portion of $4,869,900 in federal grants and loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for infrastructure improvements.
The funding was awarded through the Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program, the Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program, the Community Facilities Disaster Grants, and the Economic Impact Initiative Grants Program, all administered by USDA Rural Development.
U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner and Sen. Tim Kaine announced the awards Friday, June 25.
“We are glad to see these federal dollars go toward much needed equipment and infrastructure updates across the Commonwealth,” said the senators in a joint press release. “These vital investments will help ensure our cities and towns have the tools and resources they need to continue to build back better.”
Community Facilities Direct Loans, Grants, Disaster Grants, and Guaranteed Loans programs offer direct loans, loan guarantees, and grants to develop or improve essential public facilities in rural communities. The funding will be awarded through a grant-loan combination.
Eastern Shore awards are:
- Town of Onancock will receive a grant of $33,000 and loan of $62,000 to purchase two patrol vehicles for the town.
- Eastern Shore Public Library in Nassawadox will receive a grant of $24,000 to purchase a security and fire alarm, and additional office equipment.
- Town of Cape Charles will receive a grant of $29,000 and a loan of $55,800 to purchase remote read water meters and a new 4-wheel drive pickup truck for the public utilities department.
- Town of Eastville will receive two grants – one of $6,000 and another of $50,000 – and a loan of $104,200 to purchase a patrol vehicle, a pickup truck, a dump trailer, and a generator to update the town’s public works department.
Other Virginia awards include:
- Town of Colonial Beach will receive a grant of $67,400 and a loan of $382,200 to purchase a public works jet truck equipped with a hydro-excavation package, high capacity vacuum system, tandem axles, and high pressure jetting system, including a 1,000 foot hose and increased water storage.
- Health Equipment Loan Program (H.E.L.P.) in Churchville will receive a grant of $25,000 and a loan of $155,000 to purchase a building and medical equipment to serve residents of Augusta County.
- Town of Tazewell will receive a grant of $50,000 to purchase two new patrol vehicles.
- Stickleyville Volunteer Fire Department in Duffield will receive a grant of $11,200 to purchase a used fire truck.
- Drakes Branch Volunteer Fire Department will receive a grant of $19,500 to purchase a utility terrain vehicle (UTV), trailer and equipment.
- County of Dickenson will receive a grant of $50,000 to purchase two patrol vehicles.
- Mount Rogers Community Services, Inc. in Wytheville will receive a loan of $3,000,000 to purchase a building and manage renovations to provide appropriate space for employees and services.
- Town of Gate City will receive a grant of $26,200 and loan of $48,800 to purchase two used patrol vehicles.
- City of Norton will receive a grant of $50,000 and loan of $55,000 to purchase two new patrol vehicles.
- Town of Lawrenceville will receive a grant of $200,000 and a loan of $225,800 to purchase a 3,000 gallon tanker fire truck.
- Town of Brodnax will receive a grant of $66,000 and a loan of $22,000 to purchase three sewer pumps and a pump station.
The Town of Bowling Green will receive an Economic Impact Initiative grant of $21,300 to purchase a utility terrain vehicle (UTV), trailer and equipment for the town’s fire department, and a grant of $30,500 to purchase a public works truck. Economic Impact Initiative Grants program provide essential community facilities in rural communities.
