N.M. Senators Encourage New Mexico Communities to Apply for Limited Opportunity Fire Station Grants

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall today encouraged New Mexico communities to take advantage of a limited opportunity to apply for fire station construction grants.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) is funding a new $210 million grant program aimed at helping communities build or renovate fire stations. All non-federal fire departments and state and local governments that fund or operate fire stations are eligible to apply for the funds through the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency.

"Though the federal government provides grants to support fire departments across the country, it does not typically pay for fire station construction. This is an excellent opportunity for New Mexico communities to either construct a new fire station or refurbish an existing one," Bingaman said.

"It is great that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is providing funds to not only support fire fighters, but to improve fire stations. I encourage our fire stations in New Mexico to take full advantage of this rare opportunity and apply for funding to improve their facilities," said Udall.

The grant program limits funds for each project within a grant application to $5 million. Application reviews will begin in late August or early September. The number of awards is estimated to be between 60 and 80. Additional information can be located online at www.fema.gov/grants and www.grants.gov.