Leasburg Volunteer Fire Department Receives a $70,000 Zero-Interest Loan for Fire Truck
Leasburg, NC (July 19, 2018) – The Leasburg Volunteer Fire Department received a $70,000 zero-interest loan to purchase a new fire truck. Piedmont Electric Membership Corporation is playing a supporting role in this purchase by facilitating this loan funded from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) program revolving loan fund.
“This truck is a tremendous asset to our department and the Leasburg community,” Chief Gaither Clayton stated. “It will add to our current fleet of two pumper/tankers and will increase the amount of water and equipment we have at fire emergencies.”
This 2000 International Pumper Tanker is equipped with a 1,250-gallon per minute pump and a 1,000-gallon tank which will enhance the Leasburg VFD’s dedicated firefighters’ ability to protect their community. Adding this fire truck to the Leasburg Volunteer Fire Department’s fleet improves their efficiency across their fire district which covers 2,600 residents.
The funds for this truck came from the revolving loan fund created from repaid USDA REDLG loans facilitated by Piedmont Electric. Payments from organizations who have received REDLG loans managed by Piedmont Electric in the past are placed into this revolving loan fund which allows these federal funds to be re-loaned in our local rural communities.
“We are always proud when we can support a project that improves one of our communities,” said Steve Hamlin, President and CEO of Piedmont Electric. “Supporting our community is one of our seven guiding principles that we have followed since we were founded 80 years ago in 1938. This zero-interest loan program allows us to support our communities far beyond our electric service.”
In the past four years, Piedmont Electric has secured more than $10 million in USDA funding within Caswell, Alamance, Orange, Durham and Person counties for fire trucks, fire stations, ambulances, schools and a library.
Piedmont Electric is a local, member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative serving more than 31,000 electric accounts in Caswell, Alamance, Durham, Granville, 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 and emergency preparedness support. Visit www.pemc.coop for more information.