Press Releases

Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced that the Rural Development arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded grants totaling $7,600 to Mahanoy Township for the purchase of a Utility Police Interceptor All-Wheel-Drive vehicle. Mahanoy Township will combine these grants with other funding to purchase the new vehicle and equip it with a license plate reader and an in-car camera system.

“Small towns in rural counties often can’t afford the police cars, trucks, or SUVs needed to adequately patrol and respond to emergencies within their communities,” said Rep. Cartwright. “I strongly support targeted development assistance to keep these communities safe and fiscally sound.”

These funds are derived from an Economic Impact Initiative grant (for rural communities with certain levels of unemployment) and a larger Essential Community Facility grant, both USDA Rural Development programs. These programs are competitive nationally, and grant applicants must be governmental entities or non-profits.