Roxboro, NC (April 29, 2021) – Ceffo Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department received a $328,000 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 pumper tanker will replace their 1978 Sutphen Pumper and will better support the all-volunteer department in emergency fire, rescue and medical response. The addition of this new truck will aid the Ceffo Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department in their goal of lowering their 9S Insurance Service Office (ISO) rating to a 6 ISO rating over the next few years. A lower ISO rating would result in lower homeowner insurance rates in the area.
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.
“As a locally owned co-op, it is our mission to support the communities we serve,” said Steve Hamlin, Piedmont Electric President and CEO. “We are proud to work with the Ceffo Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department by facilitating this zero-interest USDA REDLG loan to improve the quality of life in one of our communities.”
In the past several years, Piedmont Electric has secured more than $14 million in USDA funding within Person, Alamance, Caswell, Durham, Granville and Orange 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 Person, Alamance, Caswell, Durham, Granville and Orange 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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