The Delmont Rural Fire Protection District Uses REED Fund Loan to Buy New Pumper Truck

The Rural Electric Economic Development (REED) Fund, working with Douglas Electric Cooperative, recently approved a $230,000 loan to the Delmont Rural Fire Protection District to buy a new pumper truck. This truck will support 16 volunteer firefighters in the town of Delmont, South Dakota, who protect 900 residents across 190 square miles. With this new truck, the Delmont Volunteer Fire Department will be able to respond quickly to grass fires, structure fires, highway accidents, and other emergencies.  

“We purchased our last pumper truck in 1997, and it was starting to show its years,” says Tad Kaufman, Secretary-Treasurer of the Delmont Rural Fire Protection District. “We had been saving money for about 10 years to replace it and had half of what we needed saved up.”

The REED Fund provided a low-interest loan to allow the fire district to upgrade its pumper truck so the volunteers can continue to serve the residents of Delmont and surrounding communities.  

The New Pumper Truck Will Properly Equip Volunteer Firefighters

The Delmont Rural Fire Protection District equips firefighters, first responders, and EMTs within the region. It is an essential service for protecting residents and helping them in times of crisis. The new pumper truck will enable the volunteer fire district to do its job more effectively when there is a call.

“It’s hard on small fire districts that need to maintain a volunteer staff and keep essential resources on hand,” says Kaufman. “You have to give the guys good equipment.”

The Douglas Electric Cooperative recognizes that the new pumper truck will benefit countless residents beyond the volunteer firefighters and EMTs who use it. The entire community will be better protected if an emergency occurs.

"One of Douglas Electric Cooperative's core principles is Commitment to Community, and the REED Fund is a good example of how we support local economic development," says Jay Spaans, Manager at Douglas Electric Cooperative.

REED Fund Loans Save Taxpayer Money  

Kaufman emphasizes that no one who works with the Delmont Rural Fire Protection District gets paid and all of the resources provided to the volunteer fire district come from taxpayer contributions. This means that Kaufman and his team need to be good stewards of their budget to ensure the tax dollars are used responsibly. This starts with shopping around for favorable loan terms.

“The low-interest loan from the REED will save our fire district around $40,000 over the next 10 years,” says Kaufman. “Any time you can save the taxpayer money it’s a win.”

That money will either be reinvested into the fire district so the volunteers can better protect the local community or be used for other projects that benefit the residents of Delmont.

“In today's economy, employment and economic development continue to be challenging, so being able to assist through the REED Fund is very gratifying for us,” says Spaans. “We know we are making a difference in our small communities and rural areas." 

The REED Fund Loan Officers Were Easy to Work With

Kaufman had several positive things to say about the REED fund and highlighted how it was easy to complete the necessary paperwork and underwriting process to apply for the loan.

“You have to fill out some forms and go through a few hoops, but the loan officers are incredibly helpful,” says Kaufman. “They’re very good people to work with.”

Officers at the REED Fund work with business owners, community leaders, and other local groups to help fund their projects. By investing in the community, the REED Fund supports economic development at the ground level. These loans are used to fund projects that send ripple effects through entire communities. To date, the REED Fund has issued more than $121 million in loans and impacted more than 10,268 jobs. Learn about the projects funded through REED on our news page.