The $360,000 given for the vehicle was not in the form of a “grant,” but a zero-interest loan from the cooperative to Mount Airy which will be repaid.

And the money is not from co-op funds, Martin further reminded, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program. It provides funding to rural counties through local utility organizations such as Surry-Yadkin.

Such assistance mainly is designed for projects that that will create and retain employment, but also can be used for community-development purposes involving non-profit entities and public bodies. The USDA enlists electric co-ops as clearinghouses for such grants for a logical reason.

Managing Director of the Authority Denniston Fraser said the BVIAA cannot allow the facility to operate without a functioning fire truck.

“We have some mechanical issues with the fire truck that just kind of came upon us … I guess after the onslaught of the hurricanes everything just coming down.”

“We have a truck that is really limping right now and we have to take precautions before it drops (completely shuts down) on us. We figure it will drop by Saturday or so. So that’s why decided to close down the airport,” Fraser explained.

He said the fire truck’s malfunction was the ‘primary issue’ that led to the airport’s closure.