Edwards County has a recipient of an Illinois Farm Bureau Rural Development Grant aimed at elevating rural communities. The Albion Fire Department was awarded $2,400 for equipment upgrades, which will better prepare the department for when emergencies arise.
The Albion Fire Department is the largest fire department in the county and provides mutual aid to the entire community. Assisting them with upgrading their equipment, in turn, benefits the whole county. It is essential that the equipment of the department keeps up with the needs of the community.
“This grant allows our county Farm Bureau to serve our membership, while showcasing the value of Farm Bureau, through programs that benefit members and enrich their membership experience,” stated Rebecca Perry, manager of the Edwards County Farm Bureau. “It allows us to support our members and local emergency personnel.”
The Albion Fire Department is one of 23 projects from across the state that was awarded a rural development grant. IFB awarded $105,000 in its second year of the grant program, which is anticipated to return for a third year in 2026. The program provides resources, tools and support to help local communities and counties overcome challenges inherent in rural development projects, such as lack of funding and volunteers, complicated grant applications and others.
Seven of the projects awarded grant funds are for emergency services and 16 are for rural development. Projects include grocery access, training for current and potential small business owners, a rural health clinic, community center upgrades, an intergenerational Boys and Girls Club, a new water tower, improvements for emergency communications and much more. In selecting grants, IFB searches for projects that will meet a need in a community, county or rural area and get residents excited about what is happening in their community.
“We had an amazing response in the second year of this program,” said Ryan Tate, IFB Associate Director of Local Government. “Illinois Farm Bureau is honored to provide funding to move these projects forward in rural communities and excited to see the positive impact these applicants are making in the areas of emergency services, economic and community development and quality of life. We are proud to make this investment, and we are thrilled to see county Farm Bureaus engaged in the program and working to build these local relationships.”
The Albion Fire Department used their grant to purchase tools to assist with emergencies dealing with metal buildings and houses.
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