Co-authored by NLC intern Sharon Glenn
Community Project Requests — previously referred to as “earmarks” — are one-time funding requests that can be spent over a one-year project period. Unlike traditional grant applications, which are submitted to federal agencies, cities submit a project proposal directly to their Senators and respective House Member.
In Zebulon, North Carolina, a community project request allowed Zebulon and Wake County to partner to collaborate on a joint station for the Zebulon Fire Department and Wake County EMS.
This blog is based on an interview with the city.
The Project at a Glance
- Location: Zebulon, North Carolina
- Population: 6,903
- Project: Zebulon Fire & EMS Station
- Funding Source: FY2023 Appropriations: Agriculture/Rural Development Bill (PDF)
- Funding Amount: $7,500,000
- Writer: Zebulon Fire Department
- Timeline: Funds requested in 2023 and approved in 2024. The Town is expecting to break ground by the end of September 2025 and occupy the new station by early-to-mid 2027.
Community Need
Zebulon, which is located just 25 minutes from downtown Raleigh, is a fast-growing city with a population that has more than doubled since 2010. The Town passed 12,000 residents in 2024 and expects about 1,000 new people to move there each year for the next decade.
In 2018, the Town completed a fire station location study, which recommended building a new headquarters after determining that the existing facility was too small and no longer centrally located for the growing community. In 2020, the County agreed to be a partner in the new station project to co-locate EMS in the facility and to provide fire services to the unincorporated areas outside of Zebulon. This allowed the Town to split the cost of the new facility with the County, while increasing the breadth and depth of the impact on the community.
Funding in Action
Given the hefty price tag, but essential nature of the project, the Town and County were actively searching for potential sources of funding. Zebulon believes that the collaborative nature of the regional project made it a competitive project: it was bigger than just one group or area.
“Community projects that pull in local, regional and state partners benefit our residents by allowing us to provide needed services on a larger scale with significantly lower costs to our taxpayers. We help our partners achieve their goals and their collaboration allows us to provide more for our residents without the financial impact of funding it alone.”
– Commissioner Shannon Baxter
Without community project funding, Zebulon would have been responsible for covering 51% of the total construction costs. Now, both the Town and County have seen a reduction in needed funding, with the Town only needing to contribute 29% of the total project costs.
The Fire Chief’s top advice for securing community project funding? “Do your homework.” Federal money comes with processes and requirements beyond the giant check. While the benefits far outweighed the additional steps for the Town, meeting those requirements did take extra effort. The Fire Chief also recommends that communities develop a relationship with their federal grant manager, who can help projects that come their way.
Impact on the Ground
The project is expected to break ground any day now with a “move in” date in early 2027. The community has been kept well-informed throughout the process, with engagement and input a priority for Zebulon.
“As our town grows, this new fire station and EMS facility will ensure our community is served quickly and the shared space provides efficiency while cutting redundancy.”
– Commissioner Baxter
In 2023, the Town hosted several public sessions to gather feedback on the preliminary site plan, concept design and other project elements, with representatives from the Town, County and architectural firm on hand to answer questions. Zebulon also keeps a website dedicated to the project well-updated and continues to solicit community input and feedback.
The new fire station and EMS headquarters will help accommodate Zebulon’s rapid population growth while providing expanded, permanent services to surrounding Wake County communities, benefiting an estimated 50,000 people.
Learn More
Explore NLC’s guide to tracking FY2026 Community Project Requests in Congress to help your city successfully navigate the process.
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