McLean County has received an Illinois Farm Bureau Rural Development Grant aimed at elevating rural communities. Mt Hope-Funks Grove Fire Protection District was awarded $5,000 for a QTAC Trailer for Firefighting Skid Unit.

The QTAC Trailer will be used for a pumping skid unit to aid in extinguishing grass and field fires. It will also be used for areas that are hard to gain access to with a brush truck.

The QTAC Trailer is one of 23 projects from across the state that was awarded a rural development grant. IFB awarded $105,000 in its second year of the grant program, which is anticipated to return for a third year in 2026. The program provides resources, tools, and support to help local communities and counties overcome challenges inherent in rural development projects, such as lack of funding and volunteers, complicated grant applications, and others.

Seven of the projects are for emergency services, and 16 are for rural development. Projects include grocery access, training for current and potential small business owners, a rural health clinic, community center upgrades, an intergenerational Boys and Girls Club, a new water tower, improvements for emergency communications, and much more. In selecting grants, IFB searches for projects that will meet a need in a community, county or rural area and get residents excited about what is happening in their community.