STEVENS POINT, Wis., July 15, 2025 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development (RD) Wisconsin State Director Andrew C. Iverson today announced that USDA RD is investing a $24 million loan to the City of Baraboo to construct a new central fire station and a smaller satellite station. The funding is through the USDA RD Community Facilities (CF) Direct Loan and Grant Program.
The current fire facility was constructed in 1868 with an addition made in 1957. The new facilities will combine the fire and emergency management system district for greater efficiency.
“USDA Rural Development is proud to partner with the City of Baraboo to invest in emergency management services that are essential to keeping the community safe,” said Iverson. “The funding that is being announced today is another example of the priority the Trump administration places on supporting first responders and emergency services in rural America.”
The new facility will accommodate the larger staff that is needed due to the increase in calls received. The new facilities will include space for living quarters, staff support areas, and bays. The central fire station will have a training area, and the city’s emergency operations center.
The construction of the central fire center and substation will increase response time in the community and save more lives.
The CF Direct Loan and Grant Program provides low-interest loan funding to eligible applicants to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings. Eligible borrowers include public entities, community-based non-profit corporations, and federally recognized Tribes. Rural areas include cities, villages, townships and towns including Federally Recognized Tribal Lands with no more than 20,000 residents according to the latest U.S. Census Data are eligible for this program. Funds can be used to purchase, construct, and improve essential community facilities, purchase equipment and pay related project expenses.
Examples of essential community facilities include:
- Health care facilities such as hospitals, medical clinics, dental clinics, nursing homes or assisted living facilities
· Public facilities such as town halls, courthouses, airport hangars or street improvements
· Community support services such as childcare centers, community centers, fairgrounds or transitional housing
· Public safety services such as fire departments, police stations, prisons, police vehicles, fire trucks, public works vehicles or equipment
· Educational services such as museums, libraries or private schools
· Utility services such as telemedicine or distance learning equipment
· Local food systems such as community gardens, food pantries, community kitchens, food banks, food hubs or greenhouses
Applications for the USDA RD CF Direct Loan and Grant Program are accepted year-round.
Direct Loan Applicant Guidance Book: PDF
