Senator Charles E. Schumer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 13, 2007

Schumer Announces Federal Funds Coming To Two Franklin County Fire Departments

Federal Dollars Will Be Used to Purchase New Fire Trucks

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced today that over $180,000 in federal grants and loans has been awarded to two Franklin County fire departments by the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development program as a Community Facility Grant. Dickinson Volunteer Fire Department in Dickinson will receive a grant of $25,530 for the purchase of a new tanker truck. Hogansburg Akwasasne Volunteer Fire Department in Akwassasne will receive a federal grant of $7,680 and a federal loan of $151,230 to purchase two new fire trucks.

"This is great news for Franklin County," Schumer said. "We can never truly repay our first responders for their heroic efforts and dedication to duty, but we can ensure they have the equipment and resources they need to do their jobs well. These items will allow first responders to better serve the various rural communities throughout the county.”

Dickinson Volunteer Fire Department in Dickinson will receive a grant of $25,530 for the purchase of a new tanker truck. Hogansburg Akwasasne Volunteer Fire Department in Akwassasne will receive a federal grant for $7,680 and a federal loan of $151,230 to purchase two new fire trucks.

Community Programs, a division of the Housing and Community Facilities Programs, is part of the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Development mission area. Community Programs administers programs designed to develop essential community facilities for public use in rural areas. These facilities include schools, libraries, childcare, hospitals, medical clinics, assisted living facilities, fire and rescue stations, police stations, community centers, public buildings and transportation. Through its Community Programs, the Department of Agriculture is striving to ensure that such facilities are readily available to all rural communities. Community Programs utilizes three flexible financial tools to achieve this goal: the Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program, the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program, and the Community Facilities Grant Program.

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