Elmer City to cut ribbon on new fire hall

A ribbon cutting ceremony in Elmer City will introduce to the public the town's new fire hall March 21 at 1 p.m.

The recently completed structure is already in use, housing fire engines for Okanogan County Fire Protection District 2.

The $1.3 million project, funded mostly by the state Legislature with the final $150,000 coming from the federal American Rescue Plan Act via Okanogan County commissioners, began in 2022 when the town began seeking state funds.

The project involved the work of two state legislators. Rep. Mike Steele, of the 12th District, which covered this area at the time, and Rep. Jacquelin Maycumber, of the 7th District, which now encompasses most of this area, each helped get the project funds directly through the legislative allocation process over two years.

Maycumber is scheduled to attend the ribbon cutting, Town Clerk Kelly Ross said.

The 2,268-square-foot, cinderblock building has three bay doors to back fire engines into, which will allow the fire district to get all their equipment inside. The old fire station, which sits directly in front of the new one, will still be used, as well.

The town council voted last week to close out the books on project, paying the final amount on the construction bill to Black Rock Construction, of Moses Lake, which had bid $1,277,185.64 on the work.