City, county benefit from USDA Rural Development grants

Representatives of the USDA, Rural Development, Vernon County and the city of Nevada gathered Oct. 24 for the presentation of more than $40,000 in grants that will help to fund a cooperative communications facility.--submitted photo

In a mock check ceremony on Oct. 24, Morris Westfall, state director for USDA Rural Development, announced the award of $25,200 in grant funds to Vernon County and $15,000 to the city of Nevada. The funds are part of the Community Facility Grant program from the USDA Rural Development. The funds will be used to purchase and install fiber optic lines and radio equipment to provide joint communications from the city of Nevada's public safety building to the new Vernon County Jail facility.

"I'm very pleased to present these funds for such a worthwhile purpose," said Westfall. "It is always fulfilling to see federal agencies, cities, and local organizations such as Vernon County and the city of Nevada work together for an important community need."

Senator Kit Bond added, "It is critical that our first responders have the communications capabilities they need to do their jobs. I applaud the USDA and the local leadership for investing in this vital technology and equipment so city of Nevada and Vernon County public safety officials can better protect the community during emergencies."

Senator Claire McCaskill commented, "This fiber optic line and radio equipment will open up better lines of communications and will help local officials work more closely with county officials. I am very happy that these grants are going to help improve Nevada's public safety management to do their jobs as best they can."

"As a former prosecuting attorney, I have worked through the years to ensure our law enforcement agencies have the tools they need to protect and to serve the American people," said Congressman Ike Skelton. "I am pleased to congratulate Vernon County and the city of Nevada, who will receive a USDA, Rural Development grants to improve communication between the City of Nevada's public safety building and the new Vernon County Jail facility. Since 9-11, it has become increasingly clear that our emergency agencies must be better equipped to communicate with each other and to respond to urgent situations. These grants do exactly that."

The laying of the fiber optic line and purchase of the radios is only the first step in forming a joint communication center. The purpose of the center is to serve not only the Nevada Police Department and the Vernon County Sheriff's Office, but also the Nevada Fire Department, Nevada Public Works, six rural fire departments and the Vernon County Emergency Medical Services. This center would also act as the public safety answering point for all 911 calls in the county instead of having one Answering Point for 911 calls originating within the city limits of Nevada and a second for those outside the city limits.

Community facility assistance can be by direct loans, grants, or guaranteed loans though a conventional lender to help communities meet the basic needs of its citizens, as well as build a stronger, more vibrant community. The funds are available to public entities such as municipalities, counties, special purpose districts, and non-profit corporations that meet specific criteria.

Westfall also extended special thanks to the federal elected officials including U.S. Senators "Kit" Bond and Claire McCaskill, plus U.S. Representative Ike Skelton for making available federal monies for funding this kind of project in rural Missouri. USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents.

The programs consist of a variety of loan, loan guarantee and grant programs, plus technical assistance in the areas of business and industry, cooperative development, rural housing, community facilities, water and waste disposal, electrification and telecommunications, including distance learning, broadband and telemedicine.

For more information about the USDA Rural Development programs, visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/mo/, send a letter to Carol L. Platt, area specialist, 625 W. Nursery, Butler, MO 64730, or phone (660) 679-6114, ext. 4.