Jones co. B.O.S. to move forward with USDA grant

JONES COUNTY, Miss. - The Currie Community in Jones county could see its only fire station reopen. The Jones County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved assurance money needed to apply for a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant.

The approval came after Jones County Fire Coordinator, Dan McKenna, requested assistance in last month's meeting.

McKenna said, "The assurance money needed is $80,000, the grant is a 25%/75% matching funds grant."

The station has been closed for 6 years due to its aged equipment, causing home insurance rates to rise to a Class 10.

"You know when you have additional equipment, you know it enhances the protection of the county simply by having that piece of equipment" said McKenna.

If the grant is approved, the money received will purchase a new fire truck for the station. McKenna said, "Now we are in the process of working with the USDA and acquiring a grant for the purchase of a fire apparatus and related equipment."

If the fire station reopens with new equipment it can lower homeowner's insurance in the Currie Community.

Local insurance agent Corey Tator told FOX 23, "If the grant gets approved this can drop those protection Class 10, to a protection Class 8 or event in some cases maybe a 7."

Tator added, "That could possibly reduce some insurance rates at possibly 50%. Folks can be looking at maybe at a $1,000 drop in the insurance every year."

McKenna said homeowner's insurance is important, but the response time of having a fire station within the community is important too.