The Cruso Volunteer Fire Department is getting a new $300,000 fire truck as part of the Biden administration's $15.6 million investment in rural North Carolina. Cruso is getting the truck thanks to a $300,000 USDA loan at zero percent for 10 years. Cruso Fire Chief Tim Henson said that makes the purchase possible and brings the opportunity to replace a 22-year-old engine.
“It'll carry a thousand gallons of water, a 1,500-gallon-a-minute pump. It'll have a combination rescue tool for vehicle extrications,” Henson said. Henson expects delivery sometime next summer or the end of 2024. Haywood County will also receive some of the rural North Carolina funding. Carolina Common Enterprise will use a $175,000 USDA Socially-Disadvantaged Groups Grant to help with the technical assistance of the Carolina Common Enterprise work plan.