A new four-bay fire station is under construction in the Town of Lorain, replacing the old structure on County Road E. Fire Chief Matt Ennis credits a community partnership for making the project possible. Funding is provided by community donations, a zero-interest economic development loan from Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative and a community block grant. Lorain firefighters expect to move trucks and equipment in before winter.

Zero-interest co-op loan provides savings for taxpayers

The Town of Lorain is getting a new fire station, thanks to funding from community partners  

“We’ve worked hard to put a financial plan together where no Town of Lorain taxpayer money is needed for construction of the new station,” said Fire Chief Matt Ennis.

Ennis credits the community for supporting the fire department and its annual Buck-A-Rama fundraiser. “We’ve saved money for years, and the generosity of donors has made this possible!”

Helping to finance the new fire station is a zero-interest loan from Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative. The co-op’s board of directors approved a $180,000 loan through its revolving loan fund for local economic development.

A Community Development Block Grant from the Wisconsin Department of Administration and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development completes the financial package by providing two dollars for every dollar put in locally.

The total cost for Lorain’s new fire station is $700,000.

The 3,960-square-foot station (66’ x 60’) is replacing the old fire hall on County Road E in Lorain. “It’s in the same location, but it’s twice the size,” said Lorain Town Chair Roger Owens. “It is desperately needed! The old structure was built in the early 1980s for equipment used at that time.”

For safety, the expanded facility moves firefighter lockers and changing space away from the trucks and equipment. It also has a decontamination area and four bays to house an engine, two tenders (formerly called tankers), a brush truck and a 6x6 Ranger.

Construction of the new fire station started June 25. The anticipated completion date is October 15. Berghammer Builders of Clayton is the general contractor, and Cedar Corporation of Menomonie assisted with engineering, architecture and grant writing. “Credit also goes to Lorain Clerk Sue Hughes and the town board, who helped with planning,” said Ennis.

The Lorain Fire Department has 18 volunteer firefighters, who serve 36 square miles and a population of about 280 people.

“Our fire department is unique because we serve just one municipality,” said Ennis. “We may be small in size, but every life – of our citizens and firefighters – is important! Every call is important!”

Beyond serving within its own borders, Lorain FD provides mutual aid to neighboring communities, including Frederic, Luck and Siren. “We have strong relationships with our neighbors and respond to fires and emergencies when we are needed,” said Ennis. “Often our response time is faster because our station is closer.”

“Many of the rural families served by Lorain FD are members of Polk-Burnett Electric Co-op, and we are proud to be a part of this project that looks out for their needs and improves our local quality of life,” said Ed Gullickson, Polk-Burnett board president.

“We appreciate working with our local electric cooperative,” said Ennis. “Their zero-interest loan provides considerable cost savings to benefit our community and the Lorain Fire Department.”

“The zero-interest loan from Polk-Burnett provides $33,000 in cost-savings for fire district taxpayers and allows us to support our communities far beyond our electric service,” added Gullickson. “This is an opportunity to make a difference in our community.”

As a cooperative, Polk-Burnett is eligible for zero- interest USDA loans and grants and has established a revolving loan fund to support local economic development, including loans for new fire stations in Grantsburg, Alden and Lorain. Our participation does not impact rates for members.