Grant sign of thriving community

With a caring spirit and never-quit attitude, the Indianola Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad is making a big difference in the town it serves. After more than 10 years of trying, the volunteers have succeeded in getting financial support for a two-level, 6,000 square foot fire and emergency station.

The culmination of their campaign came last week when Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns traveled to Indianola to announce the community is being awarded a $239,600 grant.

In combination with city and fire funds, the grant will not only provide Indianola with a new fire station -- it will also pave the way for the largest renewal project in the town's history.

To make way for the new fire and rescue facility, Indianola will demolish five old buildings in the heart of the business district. The aging structures which face the main street (officially known as 4th Street) are a one-time bank, which most recently served as an archery range; a structure in between which last housed Liz's School of Dance & Gymnastics; and a building still used by Lord's Hardware & Furniture as a warehouse.

Then, behind them facing the highway, are two more buildings, one of which served as the Masonic Lodge, and the other which is used as a photography studio.

When the buildings come down, a 75-foot wide and 140-foot long lot will be opened for the fire station. As currently envisioned, the fire and rescue facility will have dimensions of 60 feet by 100 feet on two levels. The lower level would be for housing up to eight fire vehicles and bunker gear. The upper level would be for squad meetings and training.

Tim Lord, one of Indianola's 30 fire and rescue volunteers, said planning for the structure will begin soon, with construction and completion expected in 2004. He thanked Jackie Haupt, a grant writer for Miller & Associates, for her efforts in obtaining the Community Development Block Grant for Indianola. She, in turn, praised the citizens of Indianola, saying their volunteer efforts were essential in completing the door-to-door survey needed for the grant application.

The new fire station, in combination with the downtown renewal, is the latest in a recent surge of Indianola improvements. The James McCarville family has opened Countryside Market; John Chisholm and Randy Eschliman are partners in 6 & 34 Trailer Manufacturing Inc.; Lucas Haag has launched Silver Creek Technology, a wireless Internet access company; and Mark Hauxwell has started a pump business south of town.

Indianola -- one of the oldest towns in Red Willow County -- has a new lease on life. And, for that, much of the credit needs to go to the community's dedicated, and persistent, volunteers.