Gold Ridge fire department receives state funding; Sen. Gudger offers funding updates on local projects

Published 4:58 am Wednesday, July 16, 2025

During a monthly breakfast sponsored by the Gold Ridge volunteer fire department on Saturday,  July 12, State Sen. Garlan Gudger  announced new grant funding to pave the parking lot at the Gold Ridge Community Center and the fire department.

“The men and women who volunteer and jump to action during fire and medical emergencies in Gold Ridge are selfless heroes who deserve every convenience we can provide them,” Gudger said in a press release. “The Gold Ridge community center is also the heart of the community that provides a comfortable place for residents to gather, vote, and break bread together, so I am happy to provide these funds for its maintenance.”

Gudger said he is working to secure additional grant funding that will take the repaving project all the way to completion.

Department Chief Ryan Whisenant noted that state funding helps his group protect the community from fire and fatalities.

“The support that Sen. Gudger and the Legislature provide to the Gold Ridge Volunteer Fire Department and other departments like ours across the state is immensely important,” Whisenant said in a press release. “Whenever our department requires funding, equipment, or other resources, we know that we can call Sen. Gudger to help get us what we need.”

Earlier in the month Gudger highlighted other local projects benefitting from state funding.

One example, he pointed to was the town of Garden City, which has received almost $2 million in state grants in recent years. Projects made possible with the funding include:

— $250,000 for resurfacing of the Roland “Racehorse” Johnson Parkway
— $241,000 to provide a new fire station
— $657,860 to fund water system improvements
— $430,462 for the Garden City Park
— $389,800 for sewer system improvements