WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) applauded the awarding of $50,000 in federal funds for the American Legion Dorchester Post No. 91 in Cambridge, Md. The funding, provided through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Economic Impact Initiative Grants program, will be used to purchase new furnishings and equipment for the Post, to replace those damaged by a fire in 2016.

“Post 91 serves as a great resource to local Veterans and the greater Cambridge Community. From the day-to-day services they offer Veterans, to their seasonal dances and crab feasts – they’ve got something for everyone. Since the fire in 2016, Post 91 has worked hard to rebuild, and these funds will continue to help them in those efforts,” said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committees.

“We knew that a lightning strike and fire would never deter American Legion Dorchester Post No. 91 from providing much-needed support to Veterans in Cambridge and the local region. This federal grant is an important part of their ongoing effort to rebuild and keep up services and activities for our local Veterans.  I will continue to advocate for robust federal funding for our Veterans in Cambridge and throughout Maryland,” said Senator Cardin, a member of the Senate Finance Committee.

USDA’s Economic Impact Initiative Grants program provides funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial, or business undertakings.

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