Schumer Announces Federal Funds Coming To First Responders In Herkimer County

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced today that a loan of $35,000 has been awarded to the Village of Ilion in Herkimer County by the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development program as a Community Facility Direct Loan.  The Village will use funds to purchase equipment for Ilion's rescue vehicles.

"This is great news for Herkimer County," Schumer said. "We can never truly repay our first responder s for their heroic efforts and dedication to duty, but we can ensure they have the equipment and resources they need to do their jobs well. This medical equipment will aid first responders in better serving the community of Ilion."

The Village of Ilion will use the $35,000 loan to purchase two cardiac monitors and a stretcher to equip recently purchased rescue vehicles.

Community Programs, a division of the Housing and Community Facilities Programs, is part of the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Development mission area. Community Programs administers programs designed to develop essential community facilities for public use in rural areas. These facilities include schools, libraries, childcare, hospitals, medical clinics, assisted living facilities, fire and rescue stations, police stations, community centers, public buildings and transportation. Through its Community Programs, the Department of Agriculture is striving to ensure that such facilities are readily available to all rural communities. Community Programs utilizes three flexible financial tools to achieve this goal: the Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program, the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program, and the Community Facilities Grant Program.