When you hear USDA, people tend to shy away. Not Gatchell Grant Resources, LLC.

We have been utilizing this grant/loan application process for the past 10 years to help departments achieve their goals. Some of the items or equipment we have helped to obtain are fire trucks, road department trucks, buildings, as well as other various equipment.

As of the new fiscal year which started October 1, 2011, the interest rate is at an astronomical low at 3.75%. This according to our contact at USDA is the lowest it has ever been historically. This is the time to jumo on this program.

The grant part of this process all depends on the eliigibility of the entity applying as well as other key factors that are requested.

The loan part of the application can be approved and in your possession within 3-6 months of applying.

If there is something that your department might be interested in, please do not hesitate to contact our office for more information in this application process.

Again, this application has been very helpful to numerous departments and entities but yet is still a very underutilized application due to questions and lack of knowledge of this process.

Gatchell Grant Resources, LLC encourages anyone interested in a project to become more knowledgable in the process before they turn down this avenue of funding. This can be done by either calling the USDA Office yourself or by calling us with any questions.

We look forward to helping out those who want to be helped.

Finally, the madness will be starting.

 The AFG Assistance to Firfighters Grant Period opens August 15, 2011 and will close September 9, 2011. It is a short time period this year so be prepared. There is approximately 11 days less than last year for the application period so get a move on.

 It will be fast and furious so DO NOT wait till the last minute. Also FYI, major change in the application format so check it out ASAP when it opens on Monday so you do not get surprised. This year there is approximately $400 Million in funding for the AFG.

Good luck to all who will be applying this year.

Congratulations to Canton Township Fire Department and Warrensville Heights Fire Department on being awarded SAFER Grants for much needed funds.

Canton Township was awarded approxiately $250,000 to fill 3 full time positions. This was much needed for the department to become compliant with current NFPA standards on having four men on scene on initial arriving fire apparatus.

Warrensville Heights Fire Department had to lay off 6 full time firefighters due to budget constraints.  Thanks to the AFG SAFER grant, all 6 of these full time firefighters have their jobs back. The grant was for approximately $1.4 Million dollars.

Congratulations to these departments and all the other departments that were awarded SAFER Grants that much needed them.

April 3, 2011 was the ground breaking ceremony for the Brunswick Volunteer Fire Department in the preparation of the start of the building of thier new fire station thanks to the AFG-SCG Grant that was awarded to them in June of 2010 for approximately $2,400,000.

A delicious banquet was held afterwards in recognition of all the individuals who played a part in this construction grant. The volunteers wanted to thank everyone for this once in a lifetime opportunity.

The foundations is set to start being laid and the construction process to begin on April 19, 2011.

Congratulations to the Brunswick Volunteer Fire Department of Brunswick Maryland and good luck in the construction process.

More grants were awarded for out clients through the AFG Assistance to Firefighters Grant for 2010. The lucky awardees are as follows:

February 25, 2011

Fairview Volunteer Fire Department was awarded $26,923 for Opeation and Safety to purchase all new communications equipment for their department. This was very much needed to replace thier old and obsolete equipment that they currently have.

South Amherst Fire Department receives their third grant in two years and their second grant this year for a vehicle acquisition in the amount of $$275,000.

March 18, 2011

Kidron Volunteer Fire Department received thier third grant in 2 years in the amount of $24,271 for operations and safety. Congratulations on your award.

Old Fort Volunteer Fire Department received an award for operations and safety in the amount of $68,680 to replace old and obsolete equipment. Great job Old Fort.

Lawrence Township Fire Department was awarded their first grant in several years in the amount of $57,864 to replace old equipment through the operations and safety portion. Congratulations Lawrence Township.

Indian Joint Fire District receives its second grant in two years under operations and safety for much needed equipment for thier fire department.

Huntsville Fire Department received their very much needed and deserved third grant in the past four years under the operations and safety category in the amount of $43,859. Congratulations Hunstville on your very deserved award.

Green Camp Volunteer Fire Department received their first grain si years under the category of operations and safety in the amount of $56,358 to replace old and obsolete equipment.

Gettysburg Rural Volunteer Fire Department receives their third grant in two years in the amount of $50,377 to add to thier operations and vehicle grant that they received in 2009 through the AFG Grant. Congratulations!

Congratulations to all who have been awarded and good luck to those who have grants still out there.

Three of our clients received funding for vehicles in this round:

1. Mineral City Volunteer Fire Department (2nd grant this year) - after recieving funding in the operations categorty received $200,000 to purchase a new vehicle from the AFG. Kudos to Mineral City!!!

2. Rochester Volunteer Fire Department  - In their first attempt to replace thier vehicle, Rochester Volunteer Fire Department was successful in receiving funding to do so. The total grant request came to $250,000.00. Congratulations to the Fire Department and all of its members!!

3. Unionport Fire & Rescue, Inc. - received $220,000.00 in funding to replace an old vehicle with a new roadworthy and safe vehicle.  

Not to demminish the others that were awarded who are just as important, Moorefield Township Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. is just as equally if not more happier seeing as they just received their THIRD Grant in (2) years from the AFG. Their total grant application request for 2010 came to $37,700.00. Congratulations Again X3!!!!!!!!

MOGADORE FIRE DEPARTMENT - received funding to revonate their fire station to install a sprinkler system through out their structure. Total amount awarded for this project came to $54,560.00. Congratualtions on your award!

SOUTH AMHERST VILLAGE FIRE DEPARTMENT - A 2nd grant in two years is what South Amhers Fire Department is dealing with. This grant will help the department to purchase much need equipment to replace old equipment on the department. The total cost for this project came to $30,200.00. Congratulations again on this grant award.

SUGARCREEK FIRE DEPARTMENT - Another department that has received two grants in two years. The total cost for the grant application this year came to $90,563.00. This grant will replace our old communications equipment with new communications equipment that meets the new P25 Compatability requirements. Congratulations again.

CULLODEN VULONTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, INC. (WEST VIRGINIA) - First time applicants received funding to purchase a RIT PACK (Rapid Intervention Team Pack) as well as a TIC (Thermal Imaging Camera) for the department. The total cost for this grant came to $8,900.00. Congratulations to the members and the department.

CITY OF MEDINA FIRE DEPARTMENT - received funding from the AFG FEMA Grant in the amount of $33,500 to help purchase new Extrication Equipment that replaced equipment that was in excess of 20 years of age. This is the first AFG Grant that Medina has ever received. Congratulations to them and their members.

STONE CREEK VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT - After numerous attempts, Stone Creek VFD received funding to purchase PPE for their members to replace their old gear. The total cost of this grant came to $86,085.00. Congratulations to the fire department and the members and stay safe!

FLORENCE TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT - Florence Township received their 2nd grant in three (3) years to help update their PPE and Equipment. This grant brought the department into compliance with NFPA standards with regard to PPE. The total cost for this project came to $43,557.00. Congratulations and good luck!

PLEASANT TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT - After the second attempt at trying to recieve funding to replce their old dilapitated vehicle, Pleasant Township Fire Department finally succeeded in securing funding through the AFG Program to be albe to purchase a new safe and roadworthy vehicle for the department. The total cost for this vehicle was $280,000.00. Congratulations on the award and appreciatation for your consistence and trust in us.

Congratulations to the following departments that received AFG Assistance to Firefighter Grants for the 2010 application year.

Round 1 (November 26, 2010) - Mineral City VFD of Mineral City, Ohio. Receivied their first ever AFG Grant, they were extactic to be able to purchase new SCBA cylinders to replace their aged ones as well as two (2) sets of Turnout gear to be able to equip two (2) new members of the department who did not have gear of their own. The total amount of the award under Operations and Safety was $16,096.00.

Round 5 (December 31, 2010) - Deersville Community VFD of Deersville, Ohio received their first ever AFG Grant by way of a Vehicle. This vehicle will allow Deersville Community VFD to replace their current homemade 1952 vehicle with a new NFPA compliant vehicle that will help to transport their firefighters in a safer manner. Deersville also requested and was aqpproved for additional funding to be able to train the entire department on Emergency Vehicle Operations. The total grant award for Vehicle Acquisition came to $224,640.00.

Erhart York Township FD of Medina, Ohio  was one of many departments that was also awarded in Round 5 of the AFG. Erhart York Township FD will be able to purchase (24) full sets of turnout gear to bring the department into 100% compliance with NFPA standards. To be able to properly maintain their gear, Erhart York Township FD was also awarded funds to purchase a washer extractor and dryer for the gear. The total of this grant came to $64,002.00

Lowell, Indiana, is were Lake Dalecarlia VFD is located. Because they were awarded funds in Round 5 on December 31, 2010, they will be able to purchase new hose, attack as well as LHD, to replace their dilapitated hose that they currently utilized. They were also awarded funds to purchase a Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC) and Gas Meter as well as a Washer Extractor to maintain their current gear. The total funding of this grant came to $41,410.00.

Round 6 (January 7, 2011) Canton Township FD of Canton, Ohio will be able to purchase and replace (5) of their old monophasic monitors with new biphasic monitors which meet the newest standards as well as provide the best possible care to their patients. The total cost of this project award came to $150,000.00.

Congratulations to Amsterdam VFD of Amsterdam, Ohio who received a grant from the AFG in Round 6 on January 7, 2011 for (16) portable radios to replace their old equipment, (20) sets of turnout gear and (15) helmets to bring the department into compliance with NFPA standards and a washer extractor to help extend the life of the gear as well as maintain their gear. The total cost of this grant came to $97,311.00.

Round 7 (January 14, 2011) - City of Bedford Division of Fire in Bedford, Ohio is extatic to find out that they will be able to utilize the same communication equipment as their neighboring departments that they provide automatic aid to by being able to utilize MDTs on their units. Also included in this grant is the hardware required to upgrade the vehicles as well as a Thermal Imaging Device (TIC) and a Chemical Detection Device. The total cost for this grant came to $83,779.00.

Sheffield Township of Lorain, Ohio receives AFG grant in Round 6 on January 14, 2010 as well for a Biphasic Monitor, (2) AEDs for their engines and (2) Suction Devices for their Ambulance units to replace their aged equipment that needed replacing. The total package came to $38,080.00.

Round 8 (January 21, 2011) - Pleasant Township FD receives their first ever grant and it came in the form of a vehicle acquisition. This new vehicle will replace a (22) year old converted vehicle that was to be put out of service when the new vehicle is purchased. The total cost for this purchase and award came to $280,000.00.

Florence Township FD of Birmingham Ohio, for the second time in three years received funding through the AFG to purchase a washer extractor and dryer to maintain the gear that they received through an AFG grant in 2008, Individual SCBA facepieces for the entire department as well as a face piece fit tester to properly fit and test the entire department. Lastly, funding was also approved to be able to fit the entire department with new hoods as well as gloves to bring the department into complete compliance. The total cost for this project came to $43,557.00.

Congratulations to our clients as well as all who have been awarded up to this point. As for the other applicants, it is still early, if you have not received a denial letter, you are half way there, just be patient.

Good Luck to all for the 2010 as well as the upcoming 2011 season!!

Brunswick Volunteer Fire Department in Brunswick, Maryland was given the approval and go ahead to begin construction on the new fire station that they received funding for through the AFG Assistance to Firefighters Sation Construction Grant.

Construction is tentatively set to start in the next 30 days. The fire department and all of its members are excited and very thankful for once in a lifetime opportunity.

More updates to come as we progress!!!