Vermont Senators Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders and Congressman Peter Welch announced Wednesday that three Vermont towns will receive grants for the improvement of public safety services through the purchase of equipment and upgrades. This funding comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

This Recovery Act funding is provided through USDA Rural Development's Community Facilities program, which helps finance essential community facilities for public use in rural areas. The funding for Vermont, is part of $33 million in funding assistance USDA Rural Development is providing to 74 community facility public safety projects in 26 states across the country. Through this program, USDA ensures communities can provide essential public safety infrastructure to rural families.

Below is a list of the Vermont recipients:

• Town of Fair Haven: $157,500 loan and $44,600 grant. The funding will be used to purchase a fire truck.

• Town of Richford: $86,900 grant. The funding will be used to purchase an ambulance.

• Barre City: $37,400 grant. The funding will be used to refurbish an ambulance and purchase new defibrillator equipment.