A US Department of Agriculture loan will buy the city of Montpelier in Blackford County a new police vehicle and related equipment.

The nation’s agriculture agency isn’t the first people think of when cities need new public safety equipment. But the loan program is part of a “rural development” focus that helps rural communities with populations of less than 20,000 get amenities to raise the standard of living – like high speed internet, housing loans, or police equipment.

Michael Cunningham is with USDA Rural Development in Indiana.

“I feel that I’m working with taxpayers money. I want it to go back to Indiana residents, because that’s who pays taxes,” Cunningham said.

Montpelier’s low-interest loan totals more than $16,000 and it comes from the federal Community Facilities Grant.