The U.S. Department of Agriculture has sent $6.9 million in grants and loans to Ashby, Southbridge, and Sturbridge as part of a larger $222-million pot of funding set aside from improving what it calls critical community facilities, the department announced on Monday.
The Town of Ashby received a $6.7-million loan to renovate a 4,500-square-foot fire station, as well as construct a 11,500-square-foot addition. With the expansion, the site will be used as a public safety complex, also housing the town’s law enforcement department, per the release.
Southbridge, in turn, received a $131,600 grant, which will be used to pay for two law enforcement vehicles and a dump truck and snow plow for the town’s Department of Public Works.
Another grant, for Sturbridge, earmarked for $98,900, will be used to purchase a new fire truck, replacing a damaged and retired truck the town has been unable to use.
