ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., December 18, 2023 – USDA Rural Development State Director Patricia Dominguez joined Moriarty N.M. Mayor Ted Hart to dedicate that city’s new fire station.
During the dedication Dominguez said, “The new fire station in Moriarty will help residents’ get better emergency services and the fire fighters manning this station will have a modern up to date building to work from.” Dominguez added, "USDA Rural Development is proud to play role in helping to fund essential community facilities like this one throughout New Mexico.”
Moriarty Fire Station 1 is 15,000 square feet in size which is large enough to accommodate staff and equipment plus visitor parking. The new structure will improve safety deficiencies by providing larger living and working areas as well as much needed storage. The design will improve the size and space for equipment and make the interior more functional. This project will also provide adequate space for both male and female personnel.
The grant to construct the $5.2 million building was provided by a Congressional Directed Spending (CDS) appropriation through Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury’s office. The funding was assigned to USDA Rural Development’s community facility program which oversees the regulations to construct a fire station located in a rural community.
USDA Rural Development’s community facilities funding program provides both loans and grants to communities of 20,000 or less in population to build health care, community, public safety, and public service facilities.
The dedication featured a traditional ceremony including a push back ceremony where fire fighters pushed a fire engine back into a bay. This is in remembrance dating back to time when fire apparatus was drawn by horses and the fire wagon was pushed back into a fire station. Also, the event was completed with a “wet down” ceremony of the fire station. This is a symbolic gesture to dedicate the fire station and equipment to the protection of the community.
Further information on Community Facilities Loan Program and other Rural Development Programs can be obtained by calling 505-761-4950 or by visiting USDA’s website at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov
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