White Co. Applying For CDBG Grant To Purchase Fire Safety Equipment

White County Commission will apply for a Community Block Development Grant to increase fire safety in the county.

County Executive Denny Wayne Robinson said that the county can be awarded up to $420,000. He said they would use the funding to purchase one, possibly two, pumper trucks.

“It’s a very big need, especially right now for Eastland,” Robinson said. “Eastland’s truck is down, so other departments are having to respond for them. So it’s a dire need up there right now.”

Robinson said that if they were able to get a second truck, that would go to the Central View Fire Department. He said that they’re working on finding out if instead of purchasing one high-end piece of equipment, they can spread the funding out to purchase more pieces of used equipment.

Robinson said that CDBG funding allocations are typically announced in October, but that this year it was announced in February. He said that because COVID messed up the timelines, the state is opening applications earlier to try and get back on track.

“We have to have a resolution from the County Commission stating that we are intending to apply for a Community Block Development Grant,” Robinson said.

Robinson said that the deadline to apply is sometime within the next week. He said that they hope to hear back on this grant by October.