Houston County breaks ground on new emergency management facility

County leaders say the facility will improve access to supplies during emergencies.

HOUSTON COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Houston County leaders say a new emergency management storage facility will give crews quicker access to critical supplies when emergencies happen across the county and the state.

County leaders, public safety officials and community partners gathered for a groundbreaking at the site near Lake Joy Road on Monday. The facility is being funded through the county’s general fund reserve, meaning most of the construction is being paid for with property tax dollars.

Commission leaders say the county’s strong reserve allowed the project to move forward without outside funding. Houston County Board of Commissioners Chair Dan Perdue said the project reflects responsible financial management.

“I appreciate the taxpayers of Houston County placing their trust and willingness in us to manage those dollars as efficiently and effectively as we possibly can,” Perdue said.

The new facility will replace the county’s current emergency management warehouse near the sheriff’s office in Warner Robins. It will include multiple bays designed for unloading and storing emergency supplies.

Officials say the site will be easily accessible for large trucks, allowing supplies to be delivered, organized and distributed more efficiently across the county. Houston County Fire Chief and EMA Director Chris Stoner said the centralized location will play a key role during disasters.

“The biggest thing during disaster response is being able to get supplies where they are needed most,” Stoner said. “And being centrally located in the county near all the major highways, plus centrally able to distribute those supplies to all three of the cities in the county, is going to be tremendous.”

County leaders say the project was originally budgeted at $2 million but is now expected to come in under budget at about $1.6 million.