VIROQUA, Wisc., June 27, 2024 – United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Wisconsin Community Facilities Director, Nathan Billinghurst, alongside other local officials, recently attended a groundbreaking for a new fire station in the city of Viroqua.
“This new fire station is an exciting project as the Viroqua community looks to the future,” said Lassa. “The current building began as a beer warehouse and no longer fits the community’s needs. This new station will enhance the fire department’s ability to provide important emergency services to city residents and the surrounding townships. USDA Rural Development and the Biden-Harris Administration are proud to be partner with the community on this project.”
A $5.2 million Community Facilities Grant will be used to construct a new 26,000 square-foot to serve as the sole base of operations for the Viroqua Fire Department. The new station will help to positively contribute to fire fighter performance, response time, safety equipment storage/maintenance, and the ability to expand services to meet the needs of the greater Viroqua community.
The current facility, built in 1964, has undergone several renovations since, many completed by firefighters using salvaged materials from a local technical college.
Background:
The Community Facilities Direct Loans and Grants program provides affordable 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.
Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety, and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/wi.
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
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