WEST PARIS — The Tri-Town Ambulance and Emergency Rescue Service has been awarded a $3,000 grant and a $17,000 loan from the USDA Rural Development’s Community Facility Loan and Grant program to purchase a new ambulance.

U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Angus King, I-Maine, announced the ambulance service award that will allow Tri-Town Rescue to purchase a more reliable ambulance.

The funding will be distributed through the USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities Loan and Grant program. In addition to the $3,000 grant, the Tri-Town Ambulance and Emergency Rescue Services will receive a federal loan of $17,000 toward the purchase. A library association in Greenville was also awarded funds.

While no one was available for comment at the ambulance service, Collins and King said in a joint statement, “We are pleased the USDA has awarded these funds, which will support valuable services for Mainers in the Greenville and the West Paris areas.”

The ambulance service is located at 258 Bethel Road in West Paris at what is commonly known as Trapp Corner, near the intersection of Route 26 and 219. It services the towns of West Paris and Sumner 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The towns, with a combined population of 2,751, pay a subsidy toward the service.

According to their website, the service is replacing one of its ambulances because of an undisclosed mechanical issue.

“This is a very time-consuming project, but in the end it will be a great step forward for Tri-Town Rescue,” Tri-Town Rescue officials stated on their website.

ldixon@sunjournal.com