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Blue Ridge Energy Secures REDLG USDA Funding for Zionville and Cove Creek Fire Departments
Cove Creek Volunteer Fire Department officials with Blue Ridge Energy CEO Katie Woodle, COO Alan Merck and Director of Community Relations and Economic Development Tasha Rountree
Zionville Volunteer Fire Department officials with Blue Ridge Energy CEO Katie Woodle, Director of Community Relations and Economic Development Tasha Rountree and COO Alan Merck
Blue Ridge Energy has secured federal funding to replace aging firetrucks for two local fire departments in Watauga County: Cove Creek and Zionville.
Located just eight miles apart, the Cove Creek Volunteer Fire Department and the Zionville Volunteer Fire Department share more than geography. For years, the two departments have worked side by side through mutual aid, answering one another’s calls when emergencies demand extra hands. Staffed entirely by volunteers, these departments represented the very heart of rural community service.
That shared commitment has now been strengthened through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) program. With support facilitated by Blue Ridge Energy, both departments secured critical zero-interest funding to replace aging fire apparatus with modern, reliable equipment—ensuring they can continue responding quickly and safely when residents need them most.
The REDLG program is designed to support essential community services and create lasting impact in rural areas. By pairing federal resources with cooperative investment, the program helps organizations access financing that might otherwise be out of reach, while revolving loan funds allow those dollars to continue supporting future community needs.
Through the program, the Cove Creek Volunteer Fire Department received $757,779 in funding to purchase a new pumper fire truck and a new tanker, replacing vehicles that were more than 20 years old. The Zionville Volunteer Fire Department received a $360,000 zero-interest loan to purchase a new pumper fire truck.
For Cove Creek, the new equipment is essential to serving a rural area where water access can be limited. The tanker allows firefighters to quickly deliver large volumes of water, while the new pumper provides the power and reliability needed for active fire suppression. These trucks are often the first line of defense for structure fires, vehicle accidents, and medical emergencies. Just down the road, the Zionville Volunteer Fire Department’s new pumper will serve as its primary response vehicle for both fires and auto accidents.
Volunteer fire departments operate on tight budgets, funded largely by local taxes, donations, and fundraising. As the cost of modern fire apparatus continues to rise, traditional financing can place long-term strain on a department’s ability to meet daily operational needs. The zero-interest loans provided through the REDLG program remove that burden, allowing departments to invest in essential equipment without paying thousands of dollars in interest over time.
"Making life better by supporting communities we serve is important to us as a locally based electric cooperative,” said Katie Woodle, chief executive officer of Blue Ridge Energy. “Cooperatives work in a variety of ways to enhance the areas we serve. We’re pleased we’re able to secure available federal funds to help the fire departments obtain critical equipment that will benefit the community for years to come,” she added.
Blue Ridge Energy is a member-owned electric cooperative serving some 80,000 members in northwest North Carolina. For more information, visit BlueRidgeEnergy.com.