USDA Rural Development Announces Public Safety Investment in Smyrna

Smyrna, Del., August 5, 2014 – USDA Rural Development State Director Dr. Bill McGowan and U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del) today joined officials from the Town of Smyrna and federal, state and county representatives to kick-off the expansion of the new Smyrna police station that is being built adjacent to their current headquarters at 345 W. Glenwood Avenue.

“USDA’s footprint can be found all over this town,” said Dr. McGowan.  “From essential infrastructure projects that involve extending water to the north side of Duck Creek that will help boost the local economy, to education projects such as Telamon’s new head start facility to be constructed just South of Town, to recently renovated rental housing complexes like Heron Run on Commerce Street, we are here today in the heart of Smyrna’s community to highlight public safety.  Helping to ensure that rural America remains a safe place to live, work and raise a family is part of what we are called to do at USDA Rural Development.  Through the assistance of Rural Development’s programs, emergency and other vital services are being enhanced for more communities.” 

“This USDA Rural Development loan program is a smart investment in Smyrna,” Senator Carper said. “Bringing together all of their police officers under one roof will help them coordinate their services to the residents of Smyrna and ultimately do their jobs better. We rely on these men and women to keep us safe, and we owe it to them to provide the facility and tools they need.”

“Our nation’s law enforcement officers are on the front lines of keeping our communities safe, and they should have the full resources they need to carry out their missions,” said Senator Coons, co-chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus. “Thanks to the loan from the USDA Rural Development program, Smyrna’s police officers, their support networks and divisions will be able to work together under one roof to serve and protect the residents of Smyrna.”

“The brave men and women in the Smyrna Police Department go to work every day to protect the people in their community.  It’s important that they have the facilities and resources they need to do the job well,” said Congressman Carney.  “USDA Rural Development has a long history of investing in Delaware.  I’m confident that the loan being made available today to fund a much needed expansion to the police station will improve the department and result in a safer Smyrna community.”     

USDA Rural Development is supporting the expansion of the police station through the Community Facility Direct Loan Program.  The Town of Smyrna was approved to receive $4.9 million dollars with loan terms set at 40 years, 3.5 percent interest.  The town’s Special Investigations Unit is currently working from the Public Works Building and this new facility will allow for all of the officers to come together under one roof, providing for more holding cells, works space, a secure evidence room, lockers, and tactical training room.  When completed the overall square footage of the police headquarters will be approximately 26,000 square feet.  Construction is expected to be completed next summer.

Last year, USDA Rural Development returned $196 million to rural Delaware.  It has more than 40 loan, grant, and technical assistance programs.  The 2014 Farm Bill brings renewed support for community economic development, including financing for investments in broadband, telecommunications, distance learning and telemedicine, entrepreneurship, and business development and growth.

President Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities.  Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities.  USDA’s investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values.

###