USDA Announces $1 Million Investment During National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week to Benefit Southbridge

This Investment Will Help Provide Critical Infrastructure for a Community of 17,740 Residents

Southbridge, Mass., April 16, 2026 - U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Southern New England State Director Christopher Lyon has announced that the Town of Southbridge will receive $1 million to acquire land for a new fire station in the center of Southbridge. This announcement comes during National Public Safety Telecommunicators week.

"During National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, I am excited to announce this important investment to help the Town of Southbridge secure land for a new, modern fire station," said Lyon. "This project represents a crucial step toward strengthening emergency response capabilities for the thousands of people who rely on Southbridge's firefighters every day."

The investment comes in the form of a USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Grant. The current Southbridge Fire Station is severely outdated and cannot meet the operational needs of a modern fire department. Its 31 career and six on-call firefighters responded to nearly 4,000 calls in 2022, yet trucks and equipment barely fit through the bay doors, decontamination must be done outdoors, and the building fails multiple local, state, and federal codes. The newly acquired land will allow the Town of Southbridge to construct an adequate fire station.

USDA Rural Development's Community Facilities Programs offer direct loans, loan guarantees and grants to develop or improve essential public services and facilities in communities across rural America. These investments strengthen critical community infrastructure, enhance quality of life and help rural towns attract and retain businesses and services. To learn more about these programs, contact Community Programs Director Joseph DelBove at [email protected] .
For more information on USDA Rural Development investments in rural America, visit the Rural Data Gateway . The Rural Data Gateway is an online tool that strengthens USDA Rural Development partnerships with rural people, entrepreneurs, government officials and Congress by making investment data accessible to the public.

Learn more online at www.rd.usda.gov, subscribe to GovDelivery updates, and follow us on X at @RD_SNE .

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