Scott gives to Fire Department

A $15,000 grant from Arkansas State Representative Sue Scott was presented to Pea Ridge Fire Chief Jamie Baggett last week.

The money, from the Arkansas General Improvement House Funded Rural Fire Protection Grant Program, will be used to purchase a light duty rescue truck. The purchase of a mini-pumper was approved by the Pea Ridge City Council at its regular meeting March 15.

Mayor Jackie Crabtree presented a request for the 2003 F550 mini-pumper at a cost in the mid-$60,000 range.

"We have a $15,000 grant that Sue Scott (State Rep.) got for us and we currently have $20,000 in the budget leaving us with about $30,000 needed. Arvest has approved us," Crabtree said. He said the class A pumper would replace the current rescue truck which is a 1979 model which the department would sell as surplus.

Scott said the Division of Rural Services works in partnership with the Arkansas Rural Development Commission to administer the Arkansas General Improvement Funds Grant Program. Incorporated cities and towns and unincorporated communitieis in rural areas of less than 20,000 in population are eligible to apply for assistance through the mayor or county judge's office.