Elsie Meeks, State Director for Rural Development, announced a $3.7 million Community Facility Direct loan to Rapid Valley Fire District during the ground breaking held today for a new fire station.
The USDA Rural Development financing will allow Rapid Valley Fire District to replace the problematic and non-compliant ADA facility with a new well planned facility.
“First responders play a critical role in the security of our rural communities,” said Meeks. “Modern resources and tools are a priority to assist with improved response time and increased safety in the event of an emergency.”
The new facility will have five apparatus bays, a wash/maintenance bay and administrative offices. Federal funds will be leveraged with an applicant contribution of $37,800 for a total cost of $3.79 million.
The Rapid Valley Fire District provides fire protection and emergency medical services to over 7,000 residents in the Rapid Valley and surrounding areas.
“The new building was identified as the best option after a comprehensive evaluation of our existing facilities was completed two years ago,” said Tim Kobes, Rapid Valley Fire Chief.
USDA’s Community Facilities Program provides loans and grants to construct or improve essential public facilities in rural communities. Projects eligible for funding assistance include hospitals, municipal buildings, schools, police stations, and associated equipment.
USDA Rural Development has offices in Aberdeen, Huron, Mitchell, Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux
Falls, Watertown, and Yankton. For more information, visit the USDA Rural Development
website at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/sd.