Blue Ridge Energy has secured $216,000 in federal funds for the Town of Hudson to purchase three new police vehicles and a backhoe.
The funds were made available through the government’s Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program (REDLG). REDLG, which is part of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), enables electric cooperatives to support community development projects in their service areas by providing zero-interest loan funds and grants to qualified entities.
The Town of Hudson will utilize the funding to purchase four vehicles, including a backhoe used for right-of-way clearing, and three vehicles to support the police fleet. The Public Works Department will use the backhoe primarily for clearing, as well as snow removal, moving materials, and clearing debris from downed trees, and roadway patching and maintenance. The three police vehicles will be used to refresh and maintain the police fleet, replacing aging vehicles.
“We’re very thankful that Blue Ridge Energy could assist the Town of Hudson in obtaining this grant for much-needed equipment that will help us provide safety and critical services for the communities we serve,” said Hudson Town Manager Jonathan Greer.
“Supporting local citizens and communities is important to us as a locally based electric cooperative,” said Katie Woodle, chief executive officer of Blue Ridge Energy. “Cooperatives work in a variety of ways to enhance the local economy and quality of life for the areas we serve. We’re pleased we’re able to secure available federal funds to help the Town of Hudson obtain critical equipment that will benefit the community for years to come,” she added.
Blue Ridge Energy is a member-owned electric cooperative serving some 80,000 members in northwest North Carolina. For more information, visit BlueRidgeEnergy.com.
