BELMONT — A facility that will provide better protection for residents of Belmont and surrounding communities — as well as more comfort and care for those who respond in emergencies — is officially under construction.

More than two years ago in February 2023, the Belmont Volunteer Fire Department celebrated after it was awarded $3.4 million in the form of a Congressional Directed Spending Grant, thanks to the efforts of then-U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio, and then-Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio. They soon learned, though, that the project would require more than $1 million in matching funds. That money was secured as part of the Ohio Capital Budget Bill, with state Sen. Brian Chavez, R-Marietta, appropriating half of the amount needed and then-state Rep. Don Jones, R-Freeport, directing the other half to the department.

As recently as May, the fate of the project was still up in the air. VFD officials learned that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which is to provide the $3.4 million in federal funding, determined the village could not cover cost overages on the project. But Village Solicitor T.J. Schultz and Fiscal Officer Ricky Burkhead were able to work with Woodsfield Savings Bank to obtain a letter of credit for $405,000 to pay for any cost overruns that may occur, ensuring that the project could move forward.

On Tuesday, Fire Chief Bob Mills thanked all of those individuals along with many others before a group of current and former department members got to “throw a little dirt” to officially begin construction at a 3-acre site just across Barrister Street from the current fire station.

Charles Tassell, director of USDA Ohio, was on hand for the ceremony. He said because rural America is “central to our national economy, health and well being,” it is crucial that projects such as the new firehouse get the support they need to become reality.

“Our mission is to invest in high-quality, modern, reliable community infrastructure, which is critical for rural prosperity and quality of life,” Tassel said. “Therefore, on behalf of USDA Rural Development, we are honored to partner with the community of Belmont, and specifically the Belmont fire department. … This administration is very supportive of all first responders, but firefighters do have a special place in our hearts. … (We are) especially glad to support the increased protection this facility will represent for the community, as well as the comfort and care provided for those ever-ready souls, the firefighters at Belmont. With that, on behalf of the president and secretary, may God bless Belmont.”

Belmont County Commissioners Jerry Echemann and Vince Gianangeli attended the event. Echemann said the village was very fortunate to receive the federal funding for the bulk of the project, noting that money can be very hard to get. He termed the construction a “very worthy project.”

Ginangeli agreed.

“Today, the village of Belmont has broken ground on a $3.4 million fire station with 75% funding from the USDA and 25% from the state,” he noted. “It is great to see our federal and state leaders come together with that financing that will bring the project to fruition. I look forward to seeing the new facility in one year from now.”

Chavez was also on hand Tuesday and said he was pleased to help secure the necessary funding.

“This was a big lift, and there’s other things I wanted to let you guys know,” Chavez told Mills and fire Capt. Kaye Hall. “And maybe this is for you, too. In the state budget, I got $8 million for volunteer fire departments and counties under 70,000 population.”

Chavez estimated that would amount to about $50,000 per volunteer department across the state.

“I keep telling all my colleagues I depend on a volunteer fire department. … I think there’s 399 volunteer fire departments in the state, and there’s 91 of them in my district,” Chavez continued. “… So that’s why I want to make sure they’re funded, right?”

Chavez said he was able to help other senators understand why volunteer departments are so important to rural areas to secure his half of the $1 million.

Ty Moore, who became a state representative when Jones accepted an appointment from Trump, also attended, as did Allie New, a field representative for Congressman Mike Rulli, who replaced Johnson when he stepped down to become president of Youngstown State University. New read a statement on Rulli’s behalf, congratulating the community on the project.

Following the ceremony, everyone was invited back to the current station — built around a tile block core that dates to the 1800s, for refreshments. The new firehouse that will feature sleeping quarters and four double bays that can accommodate two trucks apiece with entry and exit in a drive-through fashion, is expected to be complete in about a year and will include sleeping quarters, is expected to be complete in about a year.