Public safety improving for Ashford Co-op partnerships deliver second fire station
Recognizing Ashford’s potential for growth, both in number of homes as well as businesses, Wiregrass leaders developed a plan for infrastructure needed to keep Ashford and Houston County citizens safe. A decade after the effort began, the fruits of that collaboration and forward-thinking are ripening with the construction of the Ashford Fire Southside Station. The second of the community’s fire stations, it’s expected to accommodate growth for the next 20 to 30 years. With the capacity to offer 24/7 emergency service, the facility is a potential catalyst for economic expansion by establishing the fast response times needed by hotels, motels and similar businesses. Similarly, residents will be assured emergency services aren’t far away, something future developers can emphasize in their plans. Wiregrass Electric Cooperative and PowerSouth Energy Cooperative provided funds for two-thirds of the total project cost through their Revolving Loan
Fund, contributing $300,000 through a loan with a 10-year term at 1% interest. “It is wonderful to partner with the great City of Ashford and help finally bring this dream to fruition for people who live here and the businesses that exist now and in the future,” says Brad Kimbro, WEC’s chief operating officer. “When we brought this idea and opportunity to our WEC board, it was a quick yes. We’re happy to play a part in making the Wiregrass a better, safer place for our members and our neighbors.” The fund provides low-interest loans to individuals, companies or municipalities to help them finance their projects or businesses. Creation and retention of local jobs are key goals of the effort. “This is a great project,” says Caleb Goodwin, community development and finance representative for PowerSouth. “We are fortunate to have the resources we do at PowerSouth, such as our Revolving Loan Fund, that allow us to do what really is our core mission: to serve
communities and do everything we can to help them advance community and economic development." The Revolving Loan fund exists to help PowerSouth’s member systems fund projects that benefit their communities. The city of Ashford will fund the remaining $200,000, and the Houston County Road and Bridge Department will prepare the site for construction.
Ready for launch
A groundbreaking ceremony in May for the new fire station was attended by the Wiregrass’ state delegation, representatives from PowerSouth and WEC, local commissioners and leaders and members of Ashford’s fire and road and bridge departments. “There’s one thing that I’ve learned to live by as an elected official,” state Sen. Donnie Chesteen says. “When communities come to you with a request,
Wiregrass leaders and staff shovel dirt during a groundbreaking ceremony for Ashford’s new fire station on U.S. Highway 84 East in May.
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