CONNOQUENESSING — During the borough council meeting on Tuesday, March 5, Capt. Matt McConnell, of Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company, announced that the company had started accepting bids for the construction of its brand-new fire station.

The new fire station would be located at the intersection of Evans City Road and Main Street, and replace the current structure which has been in use for over a half-century.

Bids for the project are due April 1.

Last May, the new fire station made the shortlist of U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly’s community project funding requests for fiscal year 2024, with the fire department requesting $2 million to cover the construction.

McConnell, along with fire company president David Cottington, added that they would soon pursue another $2 million grant — this one courtesy of the Community Development Block Grant, a COVID-19 relief measure.

“I spoke to the development office in Harrisburg,” McConnell said. “They thought our best step was to go after this COVID-19 community development grant, because it’s not as difficult to obtain.”

The fire company is also looking to raise $1.5 million in capital from “some larger corporations and foundations.”