Fort Mill will break ground Thursday, Aug. 27, on a new fire station at 1655 Masons Bend Drive, adding a third station to the town's emergency response network and positioning crews closer to the fast-growing Catawba River corridor.

The 10,000-square-foot facility is funded entirely through impact fees, not property taxes or a bond, according to a town announcement. The land was donated as part of the development agreement for the Masons Bend neighborhood.

Fire Chief Chipper Wilkerson called the station a milestone for the town's fire and medical services. "Improving firefighter/EMT distribution throughout the community reduces response time by minutes when seconds save a life," he said in the town's Aug. 14 announcement.

Mayor Guynn Savage said the site was chosen strategically, near a growing mix of residential and commercial development and the Catawba River.

What residents get

The station will open with four full-time firefighters, though the building can support up to eight as staffing needs grow. Two bays can hold up to four engines total. The facility will also house water rescue equipment and include features for confined space rescue and firefighter bailout training, along with offices, bedrooms and a kitchen for on-duty staff.

Wilkerson said the new station will help improve the ISO rating for nearby residents. Insurance companies use ISO ratings to set homeowners insurance premiums, so a better rating could translate to lower bills.

Fort Mill currently operates two stations: Fire Station 1 at 121 Tom Hall St. and Fire Station 2 at 1245 Fort Mill Parkway. The third station also provides backup continuity if Town Hall or either existing station is knocked out by a disaster.

Who's building it

Rock Hill-based Leitner Construction, founded in 1947, will handle the build. Completion is expected in fall 2027.

The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. Thursday at 1655 Masons Bend Drive. The public is invited. On-site parking will be limited.