GRAND FORKS, ND (KXNET) — North Dakota Senator John Hoeven has secured $11.6 million to establish a fire station that will serve Grand Sky and the Grand Forks Air Force Base. As a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, Hoeven advanced the award under the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP). He also made the case to Department of Defense (DoD) officials, arguing the need to reduce the 20-minute response time for local fire services to reach the base, and to protect the missions the base is working on. Minot Rural Fire Department to get lifesaving upgrades “This nearly $12 million grant to establish fire protection facilities at Grand Sky and the Grand Forks Air Force Base supports our ongoing work to expand the existing Air Force, DoD, and Space Development Agency operations in this region, as well as secure future missions and partnerships for the base, the tech park, private industry and institutions like the University of North Dakota,” said Hoeven. “By building a fire station that is dedicated to serving the base as well as Grand Sky, we are providing greater certainty for these critical missions.” Some other things Hoeven is working on related to the Air Force base are expanding the Space Development Agency (SDA) satellite mission with Advanced Fire Control (AFC) operations at the base, and creating partnerships between the Air Force and institutions like the University of North Dakota to work on various projects. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW