Laurens County is expected to receive $352,000 from insurance proceeds from a fire that destroyed the Ekom Fire Department last year. County Council last night formally accepted a low bid of $330,000 to construct a new Ekom fire station. Council also approved a transfer of $30,000 from the reserve fund to provide a cushion to cover expenses not covered by the insurance payoff. These include the need for also purchasing furniture and appliances.
Council saw sketches of the proposed new Ekom Fire Department building, which is to have four bays with electric door openers to house five vehicles. It will have a day room, offices, a classroom, kitchen and baths. Fire Coordinator Lindley can now order the necessary building materials. He assured Council that everything is in place for construction to being when the materials arrive.