Grand Sky has been awarded a federal grant of $11 million from the Defense Community Infrastructure Program, as reported by Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D.
The grant will be used to build a new fire station, improving emergency response capabilities for the growing community at Grand Sky.
The Defense Community Infrastructure Program addresses community infrastructure needs that support military installations, with the aim of improving resilience, cadet training, and the quality of life for military families.
Thomas Ford, Grand Forks County administrator, expressed the need for the new facility: “Grand Sky needs fire response. We appreciate our relationship with the city’s fire teams, but a 20-minute response time presents several risks.”
The current fire response team at Grand Forks Air Force Base handles runway emergencies but cannot respond to structural fires due to leased perimeter restrictions, highlighting the necessity for this new development.
The plan to build a fire station at Grand Sky has been in development for nearly a decade.
The community previously lacked the financial resources to address the need for a fire response unit closer to the area.
Ford highlighted the competitiveness of the grant process: “It’s been a long time coming, and a lot of people have contributed.
“These types of grants are highly competitive, and this is the first one the city of Grand Forks has received, so we’re glad to make good use of it.”
This year, there were approximately 160 applicants for the program, competing for a total of $100 million in available federal funds.
The $11 million grant will cover all aspects of making the new fire station operational.
This includes the construction of the building as well as the installation of water and electrical systems and other necessary facilities.
The new fire station will be the primary emergency response unit for Grand Sky and the southern part of Grand Forks Air Force Base.
Gracie Lian, project coordinator, emphasized the importance of the grant: “It’s a big part of helping build resilience and support for our military installations.
“Communities the size of Grand Forks don’t always have the resources to spend on large-scale renovations, making grants like this invaluable.”
The success of the project was partly due to the efforts of local and national leaders.
“Our congressional delegation, Senators Kramer and Hoeven, has paid a lot of attention to this program,” Lian said.
“Without the support of many individuals and the community as a whole, these plans could not have come to fruition.”
The construction of the new fire station will significantly improve response times and safety for both military and civilian personnel in the area.
Grand Sky has secured an $11 million federal grant from the Defense Community Infrastructure Program, which will be used to build a new fire station to improve emergency response in the area.
This fire station will serve Grand Sky and the southern portion of Grand Forks Air Force Base, addressing the long-standing need for a faster and more reliable fire response.
The planning for the fire station has taken nearly a decade, and the grant, which was highly competitive, will cover the full cost of construction and facility setup.
