U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen visited Hancock’s fire station Thursday to learn about planned renovations that will be partly covered by $600,000 in federal funds recently voted on by Congress.
Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat, is a ranking member of the Senate Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Subcommittee, and a senior member of the Appropriations Committee. In November 2025, she secured $600,000 to help renovate and modernize the fire station, from a total of $46.63 million in Congressionally designated funds for projects across the country.
The Hancock station renovations are expected to cost between $1.1 million and $1.3 million, with funds coming from the Hancock Fire Department Association, the Fire Station Addition and Renovation Capital Reserve Fund and donations from area businesses.
Fire Chief Tom Bates led a tour and Second Assistant Chief Paul Towers showed Shaheen the project’s blueprint, explaining what upgrades the grant is funding, including new turnout gear areas to separate clean and dirty firefighting equipment, which will isolate potentially toxic residue from fires.
Despite a delay, Shaheen said the federal government recently released the money and the department should see it soon.
She said that determining which projects get federal funding is a competitive process.
“We try to get information out to towns and non-profit organizations that have need and let them know how the process works,” she said. “Then our staff goes through all of the applications to see what qualifies and what we think is likely to get funded.”
After compiling a list ranking applicants by funding priority, Congress approves an allotment which may be greater or less than the initial proposal, Shaheen said.
She noted it’s important to visit communities receiving funding.
“When I go out and can see how the money’s being used, I can report on that and make sure the process works the way it’s supposed to,” she said, adding that it’s important for people to know officials are paying attention and are aware of what’s getting done.