03/12/2026
Congratulations to our neighboring department!!! 🚒
Blair Preston Fire Department Receives $350,000 Donation to Launch New Fire Station Project
The Blair Preston Fire Department is proud to announce a generous $350,000 donation from Blair Apartments Inc., a local nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting community well-being. This contribution marks a major step forward in an effort to build a new fire station that will better serve the residents of our district.
Blair Apartments, Inc. was established in 1971 as a not-for-profit, 501 c(3), providing affordable rental housing to senior citizen/handicapped persons. It started as a one building, 8-unit apartment and grew to 6 buildings and 48 apartments all located within the City of Blair. The Corporate Board, over time, became overwhelmed with not only the maintenance, but also the management of such federally funded projects, and made the difficult decision to sell their properties. Early this summer, all the real estate was sold to a local business venture, B & I Future Investments.
The profits from the sale, by rule, must be returned to the local community. The Blair Apartments, Inc. Board gladly decided to donate the sale proceeds to the Blair-Preston Fire Department, $350,000, and another $250,000 to the Friends of Lake Henry, Inc. for the recently completed lake dredging project.
The current fire station, built in 1975, has served the community for nearly five decades. While it has been a reliable home base for firefighters and emergency responders, it no longer meets the space, safety, or operational needs of a modern Fire and Emergency Medical Responder department. As call volumes increase and equipment needs evolve, the limitations of the existing building have become increasingly clear.
The new fire station project will officially launch soon and is expected to be a major community campaign. Over the coming months, the department will share plans, host informational events, and invite residents to learn more about the project’s goals and long term benefits. The new facility will be designed to improve response times, enhance firefighter safety, support modern training needs, and ensure reliable emergency service for decades to come.
The fire department extends its deepest gratitude to Blair Apartments Inc. for their leadership and generosity. Their contribution sets the tone for a campaign built on partnership, community pride, and a shared commitment to public safety.
Residents can expect updates as the project moves forward and are encouraged to participate in upcoming community discussions.
