The Steelville Fire Protection District’s current primary fire station is located on the east side of town. Directly behind the firehouse flows the Yadkin Creek. This has caused flooding problems for the facility. The fire district is seeking assistance from a number of local residents in filling out a survey that may help the district obtain grant funding for a new location for the central building.

Steelville needs a new firehouse. And the Steelville Fire Protection District has the opportunity to receive grant funding to make that happen, but they need the help of some area residents first.

About 430 residents who live within the Steelville Fire Protection District (SFPD) are receiving income surveys from the fire district in an effort to determine and document the area’s eligibility to apply for a state Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to build a new fire station. Residents are asked to complete the survey and return it by March 12.

There are two reasons the fire district needs a new central fire station in the city limits. Not only have they outgrown their current facility (which has three bays for five trucks), it is also situated in a floodplain. The building has been inundated with water from flooding at least five times since 1993, with water standing 14 inches deep in that year.

“We can’t afford the cost of a whole building on our own,” Rich Counts, fire district board member, said. “This is an opportunity to get it built.”

Grants like this one are available on a competitive basis each year through the Missouri Department of Economic Development, which receives the funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The fire district must demonstrate that at least 51 percent of its residents are of low-to-moderate income to qualify for state funding. Because Census data is not available for the area comprising the fire district, an income survey is necessary to determine if the area meets the grant criteria.

“We are excited about the possibility of securing the funds to build a new fire station. This is an opportunity for members of our area to participate by completing the survey,” said Board President Allen Isgrig. “It is important to know that this grant will not increase fire district taxes.” He also noted that district residents will continue to receive fire district services at no charge.

This grant is part of the process the SFPD is currently undergoing to seek funding to build a new five-bay fire station. The total estimated cost of constructing the structure is $550,000. The district plans to contribute $162,500. Isgrig reported an initial approval for grant funding from USDA for $87,500 has been obtained along with a low interest loan for $131,000. The district has the other $31,500 in its budget. The remaining $300,000 would come from the CDBG grant, if approved.

It is essential to obtain the information from the surveys to determine whether the area qualifies. At least 80 percent of those households receiving a survey must return them, in order for the survey to be valid. Of those returning surveys, at least 51 percent must be low-to-moderate income. If the criteria is met, the application will be prepared and submitted for funding. Meramec Regional Planning Commission is assisting the district with the income survey and grant application.

“We hope to have as close to a 100 percent response rate as possible,” Isgrig said.

“That helps demonstrate to the funding agency that the community is involved in the project and recognizes the need,” added Kelly Sink-Blair, a community-development specialist with MRPC who is assisting with the LMI survey and the grant application.    

The survey will take about five minutes for residents to complete, according to Sink-Blair. Residents will be asked their family size, their income range, race/ethnicity and the make up of the family—for example, whether it includes elderly or a female head of household. Survey information is confidential.

Residents are encouraged to return the completed survey by March 12. People with specific questions may contact the fire district at 573-775-4738, Allen Isgrig at 573-775-4738, Rich Counts at 775-3782 or Kelly Sink-Blair at MRPC at 573-265-2993.