Henderson's Smith Mills Volunteer Fire Department will build a new fire station thanks to a $500,000 community development block grant.
The Smith Mills Fire Department is currently based in a 112-year-old building near a busy intersection, creating hazards for firefighters.
The new station will allow for improved response times to the 475 Henderson County households the department serves.
“Response time for firefighters can mean the difference between life and death for the citizens they serve,” Gov. Steve Beshear said in a statement announcing the grant. “This new fire station in Smith Mills will provide firefighters with the quality facility they need to safely and quickly respond to calls, and effectively serve the community.”
The $500,000 grant is administered by the Kentucky Department for Local Government and funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.