Baraboo to get a new central fire station and a smaller satellite station

BARABOO, Wis (CIVIC MEDIA) – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD) Wisconsin State Director Andrew C. Iverson has announced that USDA Rural Development is investing a $24 million loan to the City of Baraboo to construct a new central fire station and a smaller satellite station. The funding is through the USDA RD Community Facilities (CF) Direct Loan and Grant Program.

The CF Direct Loan and Grant Program provides low-interest loan funding to eligible applicants to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings. Eligible borrowers include public entities, community-based non-profit corporations, and federally recognized Tribes. Rural areas include cities, villages, townships and towns including Federally Recognized Tribal Lands with no more than 20,000 residents according to the latest U.S. Census Data are eligible for this program. Funds can be used to purchase, construct, and improve essential community facilities, purchase equipment and pay related project expenses.

The current Baraboo fire facility was constructed in 1868 with an addition made in 1957. The new facilities will combine the fire and emergency management system district for greater efficiency. It will accommodate the larger staff that is needed due to the increase in calls received. The new facilities will include space for living quarters, staff support areas, and bays. The central fire station will have a training area, and the city’s emergency operations center. The construction of the central fire center and substation will increase response time in the community and save more lives.

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