NMC receives $180K USDA grant to buy utility equipment

Top row, from left, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Business/Community Programs specialist (Area II Office) Anthony Barcinas, Northern Marianas College grants specialist Cecilia Camacho, NMC Capital Improvement Projects director Rachel Fusco, NMC Administrative Services/Facilities administrative manager Shirley Blas, and NMC grants coordinator William “Bill” Torres. Bottom row, from left, USDA Rural Development area director for the Western Pacific Joe Diego, NMC president Dr. Galvin Deleon Guerrero, and NMC vice president for Administration and Advancement Frankie Eliptico. (NMC)

The Northern Marianas College recently received a $183,300 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development for the procurement of vital equipment that will aid in the college’s recovery and rebuilding efforts.

The funding will come from USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities Program with additional support from the Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019.

Through the grant, the college will be able to purchase equipment necessary to assist in the recovery of its campus from Super Typhoon Yutu. These equipment include a four-wheel drive pickup truck, utility carts, trailers, forklift, and an articulating aerial lift.

The new equipment will be used by the college’s facilities and maintenance department, and will also be used for the institution’s construction and maintenance projects.

The new equipment will also aid in faster and more efficient recovery efforts in future storms and typhoons. For instance:

-General post-storm cleanup, fallen trees and branches, dislodged roofing tin, and other debris can easily be tackled with the boom lift throughout the campus.

-The acquisition of trailers and a pick-up truck will aid in transporting scrap material and green waste to designated waste sites.

-The acquisition of golf carts will allow for rapid response of campus safety and maintenance personnel in emergency situations.

-The acquisition of a forklift will allow for the transport and storage of campus property quickly and safely, especially during pre-storm preparations.

“We are extremely grateful to USDA Rural Development for their support in helping to rebuild,” said NMC president Dr. Galvin Deleon Guerrero. “I’d like to thank Joe Diego and Anthony Barcinas for their support and guidance.”

“We are very proud to be NMC’s community partner to meet its capital needs,” said USDA Rural Development area director for the Western Pacific Joe Diego. “We look forward to working closer with Dr. Galvin Deleon Guerrero on future capital needs for the college.”

The Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant program from USDA Rural Development provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas.

An essential community facility is defined by USDA as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial, or business undertakings. (PR)