$500,000 Community Development Block Grant supported construction of expanded facility
MUNFORDVILLE, Ky. – April 10, 2014 – (RealEstateRama) — Gov. Steve Beshear today joined local officials in Hart County to celebrate the opening of the newly renovated Munfordville Fire Station. A $500,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funded the expansion and rehabilitation of the new building.
“There are few places more important to a community’s safety than a fire station,” said Gov. Beshear. “The updated fire station in Munfordville will give volunteer firefighters the first-rate facility they need to safely and quickly respond to calls, and to effectively serve the community.”
Before renovation, the Munfordville Fire Station did not reach national safety standard regulations and was too small to house all of its needed equipment. The building’s exhaust system was substandard, and because of structural problems in the loft area and stairs, one of the station’s firemen was hurt. The station was also unable to store all of its equipment in a central location, resulting in delayed response times and unorganized service.
The Munfordville Volunteer Fire Department operates on funds derived from membership dues, fundraisers, donors, and grants, making it difficult for them to raise all the funding needed to update their station. The $500,000 CDBG allowed the department, in conjunction with the city of Munfordville, to acquire new land to expand and make improvements to the former fire station.
The new facility now meets all national safety standards and has an additional truck bay, a new roof, a new exhaust system and renovated loft area. In total, the Munfordville Fire Station has five regulation-sized fire truck bays and can meet the needs of the growing community.
“This $500,000 community development block grant is so important to the community in Munfordville because it ensures needed resources and updates for a quality firefighting facility,” said Sen. Carroll Gibson. “I am very appreciative to the Governor for visiting today to recognize this important grant and all of our hard-working firefighters and their efforts.”
“The improvements made to the Munfordville Fire Department will provide firefighters with a more modern facility, and aid in efforts to keep the community safe in the event of a fire,” said Rep. Bart Rowland. “My thanks to the Department for Local Government in awarding the department with this CDBG grant.”
“As a former volunteer firefighter, I especially recognize the importance of a quality facility and resources in fighting fires,” said Department for Local Government Commissioner (DLG) Commissioner Tony Wilder. “Better equipment and facilities translate into improved effectiveness, morale and increased volunteerism. The community of Munfordville is now a safer place thanks to the newly rehabbed fire station.”
The state’s CDBG program is administered by DLG and funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Kentucky’s Congressional leaders’ ongoing support of the CDBG program ensures the availability of continued funding in Kentucky and nationally.
Contact:
Kerri Richardson
Terry Sebastian
502-564-2611
