Edmonson County Fiscal Court Receives $500,000 CDBG Grant for Fire Station Construction Project
Grant Will Help Fund New Lincoln VFD Station in Edmonson County
FRANKFORT, Ky. (November 1, 2019) – The Department for Local Government (DLG) today announced a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocation for the Edmonson County Fiscal Court to fund the construction of a new 2,725-square-foot fire station.
“We are excited today to announce $500,000 in CDBG grant funding for Edmonson County,” said Gov. Matt Bevin. “Our Department for Local Government works closely with local officials to address priority projects that will most positively impact their communities. This significant investment is based on those discussions and will enable vital emergency services facility improvements to be made.”
The Lincoln Volunteer Fire Department (LVFD) serves the entire northeast corner of Edmonson County, roughly 50-square-miles and nearly 3,350 residents. The LVFD fire district also contains the popular Lake Nolin and Mammoth Cave tourist attractions, which bring thousands of visitors to the region every year.
Due to the large service area, the LVFD is unable to adequately serve their district in a timely and efficient manner, resulting in a high ISO rating of nine. Response times are critical to emergency responders, and the large service area, coupled with the lack of space at the current fire station, results in poor response times for the department.
The LVFD currently has a staff of 20 volunteer fire fighters. The department feels they are comfortably staffed to handle emergency calls, however with the addition of a new substation they can decrease their poor ISO rating and save insurance money for operations. In addition, by lowering the ISO rating and insurance payments, the LVFD can reduce insurance rates for local residents in the district, as well.
The addition of a new substation for the LVFD will allow resources to be housed at a separate station which will alleviate congestion at the current center and serve residents of the area that were previously not adequately served.
“Public safety is a critical issue for our communities, and projects like this are a top priority for my department,” said DLG Commissioner Sandra Dunahoo. “The construction of a new fire station will improve the effectiveness of our first-responders and help them continue to deliver quality services to the citizens of Edmonson County. Additionally, the LVFD will be able to reduce their response times and lower insurance rates in the community.”
Community Development Block Grant Program
The CDBG program, overseen by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, provides assistance to communities for use in revitalizing neighborhoods, expanding affordable housing and economic opportunities, providing infrastructure and/or improving community facilities and services.
About the Department for Local Government
DLG is an arm of the Office of the Governor dedicated to supporting local officials and communities. To learn more about opportunities available through DLG, visit http://kydlgweb.ky.gov/.
###
