$400,000 grant to fund new Fillmore firehouse

Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann announced recently that the Town of Fillmore has been awarded a Public Facilities Program grant of $400,000 from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) for the construction of a new fire station.

The grant funds will be matched with $158,658 of local and philanthropic funds.

"This project is very important for the town. We've needed a new station for years as ours is falling apart," Town Council President Alan Jones said. "We ran out of room years ago. This project will help the town's progress moving forward. As people see the construction going on maybe they will build homes and make other improvements. It will be a boom to the town, I'm sure."

Charlie Martin, president of the Fillmore Community Volunteer Fire Department also expressed his pleasure with the news.

"This project will provide us a larger facility to accommodate the newer equipment and in-house training," Martin said. "We've worked hard for this and the town has supported us ever since we started. We thank the entire community for their support also. Hopefully this will also attract more volunteer firefighters and help our department grow."

The Public Facilities Program is a grant program administered by the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) and is funded with federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars.

Community facilities enhance the lives of residents in numerous ways. Libraries, museums, community centers and performance spaces open doors to knowledge and ideas, culture, and enjoyment. In addition to community facilities, emergency services projects and historic preservation projects are eligible for the Public Facilities Program.

Fillmore is one of five communities receiving CDBG grants through OCRA in the current grant cycle, joining Peru, Macy, Clifford and LaGrange County.