A town in one of Alabama’s poorest counties will be able to reopen their police department thanks to the support of President Donald J. Trump’s administration.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD) Alabama State Director Chris Beeker on Tuesday announced the administration is investing in Greene County through the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program.
According to a release, the town of Forkland will use a $67,300 Community Facilities Disaster grant to purchase two fully equipped police vehicles and office equipment.
The police department has been closed since 2009 due to lack of funding. The newly announced federal funding will allow the police department to reopen, providing essential service to area residents and visitors. The new patrol vehicles will serve, protect and respond to calls up to two miles outside the city limits for rural residents.
“Law enforcement is crucial to our rural areas,” stated Beeker. “Thanks to the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Purdue, USDA Rural Development continues to be a valuable partner in helping rural Alabama small towns in building stronger communities.”
Additionally, Beeker the same day announced that USDA is newly funding four additional projects through the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program.
These investments, totaling $859,000, are as follows:
In Colbert County, the town of Littleville will use a $100,000 Community Facilities loan to purchase two fully equipped law enforcement patrol vehicles and a public works truck. The existing patrol vehicles are beyond their useful life. Replacing them with these new vehicles will allow the town to better serve its rural residents and ensure adequate public safety and quick response times are met.
In Covington County, the town of River Falls will use a $439,000 Community Facilities loan to renovate three buildings to be used as a central Municipal Complex that will house the water, law enforcement and fire departments, town clerk, and a council members’ meeting room. The water department will install a drive-thru lane for payments and the project will also create several ADA accessible parking spaces and ramps and new sidewalks. The project will provide essential improvements to the public service departments in this rural area and allow residents easier access to conduct business.
In Morgan County, the Somerville Area Volunteer Emergency Services will use a $250,000 Community Facilities loan to purchase a fire truck and fire extinguishing equipment. The truck will replace one that is beyond its useful life. The fire truck and associated equipment will enhance the Somerville Area Volunteer Emergency.
The Sommerville Area Volunteer Emergency Services will also use a $70,000 Community Facilities loan to purchase turnout gear and install an above the ground storm shelter in the main fire station. The much-needed turnout equipment will replace the expired and outdated gear and provide better protection for the volunteer firemen. The storm shelter will also provide the first responders a safe place to go when they are on call during severe weather.
This comes after Beeker last week announced more than $4.5 million in USDA investments into Alabama. Under the Trump administration’s and Beeker’s leadership, tens of millions have been invested in rural Alabama since 2017, including for expanding broadband access, water infrastructure and other critical services and projects.
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
