PENNEY FARMS – There will be many steps before a new fire station becomes a reality, but Clay County is ready to take a big first step by purchasing land from Penney Farms Retirement Community on the corner of State Road 16 and County Road 16.

Rapid growth in the southern end of the county, particularly around Lake Asbury, Penney Farms and Green Cove Springs, has made stretched fire rescue resources. A new station on the northwest corner eventually helps ease those concerns.

“As our county grows, we are focused on expanding public safety services to our residents,” said CCFR Chief Lorin Mock. “This land acquisition is part of a number of new and relocated fire stations designed to better serve our growing population and improve facilities for our responders.

“We are particularly excited about the opportunity to reestablish fire and rescue services in the Town of Penney Farms. Those services ceased when the Penney Farms Volunteer Fire Department disbanded operations many years ago. This property will allow Clay County Fire Rescue to site and build a new Fire Station that can service the Town and the adjacent areas of the county for many years to come.”

The county commissioners have passed two moratoriums of the Lake Asbury Master Plan to allow infrastructure projects to catch up with growth. The master plan allows a maximum of 24,492 units to be built in the area,

“We are acquiring property for new fire stations, one of which is in the Penney Farms community,” Mock said. “These stations are strategically placed to enhance our emergency response capabilities. It is essential to have strategically located fire stations to provide quick and efficient services and to meet the benchmarks provided for fire insurance.

“This new facility will not only improve response times and the capacity of the station to handle emergency services but also provide a resilient facility that can support the community during significant disaster events.”