Logan to use state grant to buy ambulance

The Village of Logan received news Friday it is receiving nearly $400,000 from the state to buy a new ambulance

The village was among 37 public entities in New Mexico that received a total of $57.8 million in matching grants for 57 projects from the state’s Department of Finance and Administration, leveraging more than $200 million in federal funds.

Logan received $289,000 in federal funding and $96,000 in contingent funds to boost its ambulance service.

Village Administrator Rodney Paris said the money would be used to buy a new ambulance. The village has three in its fleet, but Paris said one of those was nearing the end of its lifespan.

Justin LeBlanc, director of the village’s EMS, said the new ambulance would replace a 1996 model.

Describing the future vehicle as “the flagship of our EMS service,” LeBlanc said it would contain 5G mobile capabilities that can transmit electrocardiogram data to hospitals.

He said the new ambulance also would be four-wheel drive, which is critical to navigate many of the region’s dirt roads.

LeBlanc said such capabilities are important, especially when the village’s ambulances are called to Harding County or near the Texas state line, sometimes more than an hour away.

“We wanted something for the community because we’re so far out,” he said.

This first cycle of the New Mexico Match Fund supported 33 infrastructure, eight energy, four public safety, four emergency response and eight general projects at a ratio of 1-to-4 in state-to-federal leveraged dollars. DFA began accepting applications for the funding on June 16.

More than half of the funds went to rural areas.

“This investment is a commitment to the resilience and growth of our rural communities,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham stated in a news release. “By removing barriers to federal resources, we are paving the way for sustainable development and improved infrastructure across New Mexico.”

Enacted earlier this year, House Bill 177 created the New Mexico Match Fund to leverage once-in-a-generation federal funding for infrastructure, research, economic development, the energy transition, and other projects to leverage resources for the benefit of New Mexico.

With an initial appropriation of $75 million and pursuant to the new law, DFA developed three grant programs providing eligible entities with a reliable and nimble source of funding to increase competitiveness for hundreds of federal grant program opportunities that require local match. Programs include the Matching Grant, Project Implementation Grant and Federal Compliance Offset Grant.