USDA Announces $1 Million Investment During National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week to Benefit the Town of Lee

This Investment Will Help Provide Critical Infrastructure for a Community of 5,788 Residents

Lee, Mass., April 15, 2026 - U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Southern New England State Director Christopher Lyon announced the Town of Lee will receive $1 million to acquire land for a newly constructed public safety complex in the center of Lee, Massachusetts. The announcement comes during National Public Safety Telecommunicators week.

"During National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, I am excited to announce this important investment in the Town of Lee's public safety infrastructure," said Lyon. "This project will provide the necessary space to bring the fire and police departments under one roof for the first time, strengthening coordination and ensuring our first responders have the modern facilities they need to keep people safe."

The investment comes in the form of a USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Grant and provides the Town of Lee with $ 1 million to acquire land that will provide enough acreage to house a public safety complex. Once the project is complete, the public safety building will provide public safety services to the towns of Lee and Stockbridge. The current fire and police stations are not co-located and physically inadequate for staff, vehicles, and equipment, leading to inefficient services for Lee and the surrounding towns. The new public safety complex will resolve these issues.

USDA Rural Development's Community Facilities Programs offer direct loans, loan guarantees and grants to develop or improve essential public services and facilities in communities across rural America. These investments strengthen critical community infrastructure, enhance quality of life and help rural towns attract and retain businesses and services. To learn more about these programs, contact Community programs Director Joseph DelBove at [email protected] .

For more information on USDA Rural Development investments in rural America, visit the Rural Data Gateway . The Rural Data Gateway is an online tool that strengthens USDA Rural Development partnerships with rural people, entrepreneurs, government officials and Congress by making investment data accessible to the public.

Learn more online at www.rd.usda.gov, subscribe to GovDelivery updates, and follow us on X at @RD_SNE .

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