Roanoke-Wildwood Volunteer Fire Department Receives $360,000 Zero-Interest Loan to Purchase New Truck

Roanoke-Wildwood Volunteer Fire Department received a ten-year, $360,000 zero-interest loan from Halifax Electric Membership Corporation to purchase a 2019 Class A Pumper truck.

The funds were made possible primarily by a $300,000 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program (REDLG) awarded to Halifax EMC for their Community Revolving Loan program. The program provides zero-interest funds to local electric cooperatives who in turn lend the money to local entities for projects that support rural areas.

“On behalf of Roanoke-Wildwood Volunteer Fire Department, I would like to thank the USDA and Halifax Electric for the hard work and dedication to provide us this zero-interest loan,” Roanoke-Wildwood VFD President Eric Davis said. “Their continued involvement in the community is essential and greatly appreciated amongst community members.”

“Commitment to communities is one of the core values that has guided us since we were founded in 1938,” Halifax EMC Executive Vice President Charles H. Guerry said. “This zero-interest loan program through the USDA allows us to support rural organizations in our communities far beyond our electric service. We want our communities to be great places to live, work and raise a family.”

Pictured with the new truck are: (left to right) Charles Guerry, Halifax EMC executive vice president; Emmanuel Gbedee, the Office of Congressman G.K. Butterfield; BettyJo Shepheard, the Office of U.S. Senator Richard Burr; Trey Lewis, the Office of U.S. Senator Thom Tillis; Lorenzo Wilkins, Roanoke-Wildwood VFD chief; and Eric Davis, Roanoke- Wildwood VFD president.