By Leila Merrill
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A $2 million Community Development Block Grant has been awarded to fund the construction of a new headquarters for Cole County Emergency Medical Services, Jefferson City and Cole County officials announced Thursday afternoon.
Cole County Presiding Commissioner Sam Bushman said he worked to find funds for a new EMS station for five years, KOMU reported.
Since the project is in the city, the city applied for the grant on behalf of the county, which runs the EMS service.
The grant program manager, Brandon Jenson, said the grant application had to be related to helping a community respond to COVID-19.
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“It was demonstrated in the application just how important it is to provide an increased level of emergency medical services in this part of the community,” Jenson said.
The grant will cover most of the costs of the headquarters. The remainder will come from funds out of the half-cent sales tax for EMS service, the News Tribune reported.
“This is our most requested area for service,” EMS Chief Eric Hoy said. “Putting another ambulance down here is essential for ensuring adequate public safety.”