Rougemont, NC (March 1, 2022) – Caldwell Fire Department received a $400,000 zero-interest loan to help pay for their new fire truck. Piedmont Electric Cooperative is playing a supporting role in the purchase of this 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 fire truck will replace the department’s 1994 front line engine and improve life- and property-saving assistance throughout their more than 45 square mile fire district. Caldwell Fire Department responds to an average of 260-330 calls per year and is strictly volunteer with 38 firefighters on the roster.
“This fire engine will be the front-line apparatus which serves as primary on every structure fire, along with different types of calls dispatched for service,” said Chief Allison. “We’re also in the process of constructing our second fire station to better protect citizens and lower ISO ratings to help with their insurance premiums.”
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 Caldwell Fire Department by facilitating a zero-interest USDA REDLG loan for their new fire engine,” said Steve Hamlin, Piedmont Electric president and general manager. “Supporting Durham, Orange and Person Counties through this fire truck is a unique opportunity to help make multiple communities a safer place to live, work and raise a family.”
In the past several years, Piedmont Electric has secured more than $14 million in USDA funding within Orange, Alamance, Caswell, Durham, Granville 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 33,000 electric accounts in Orange, Alamance, Caswell, Durham, Granville 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.
###