Bullock, NC (April 1, 2020) – Bullock Volunteer Fire Department received a $200,000 zero-interest loan to help pay for their new pumper tanker. Piedmont Electric Membership Corporation is playing a supporting role in the purchase of the new fire truck by facilitating a loan funded from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) program.
The new 2,000 gallon Tanker will provide improved fire protection throughout northern Granville County by increasing the amount of water available on scene to more than 5,000 gallons. Not only will this improve fire response throughout Bullock Volunteer Fire Department’s 24 square mile fire district, but also in their mutual aid to Stovall and Cornwall in Granville County.
“The biggest problem we have is the lack of water when we arrive at a fire call since there are no fire hydrants in our area,” explained Marshall Tingen, Bullock Volunteer Fire Department Treasurer. “This new Tanker will improve our fire response by giving us the ability to have over 5,000 gallons of water on the scene when needed.”
The funds for this truck came from the USDA REDLG program facilitated by Piedmont Electric. The program provides zero-interest funds from the federal government to local electric cooperatives who in turn lend the money to local entities for projects that support rural areas.
“We are proud to be able to support the Bullock Volunteer Fire Department by facilitating a zero-interest USDA REDLG loan for their new Tanker,” said Steve Hamlin, Piedmont Electric President and CEO. “We are grateful for our local fire departments who protect our communities and ensure they are a great place to live, work and raise a family.”
In the past several years, Piedmont Electric has secured more than $12 million in USDA funding within Granville, Alamance, Caswell, Durham, Orange and Person counties for fire trucks, fire stations, ambulances, schools, a public library and a Habitat for Humanity warehouse. As the funds are repaid, they are re-loaned to assist with future projects in communities served by Piedmont Electric.
Piedmont Electric is a local, member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative serving more than 32,000 electric accounts in Granville, Alamance, Caswell, Durham, Orange and Person counties. Piedmont Electric exists to serve our members and improve the quality of life in our communities through local employment, economic development, business engagement, youth education, grants to educators, advocacy for energy issues, community involvement, broadband connectivity and emergency preparedness support. Visit www.pemc.coop for more information.
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