Emergency medical services (EMS) in Webster County will receive a new facility via a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Program.
For decades, the Southwest Webster Ambulance Service in Gowrie has been operating out of a cramped and outdated facility. A new facility will be constructed next to the existing one, WHO13 reports.
Funds for the new building come from a revolving loan fund managed by Webster Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association. That fund won a $360,000 grant from the USDA. As the ambulance repays the cost of the new facility, at 0% interest, the money can be redirected to other projects.
In addition to the grant funds, voters will also be asked to approve a proposed tax that would raise over $200,000 annually to support the ambulance service.