Thanks to a member business loan, a North Carolina volunteer fire department was able get the financing it needed to renovate and expand.

The Rockfish Volunteer Fire Department in Raeford, N.C., received a visit from U.S. Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.) over the Memorial Day weekend to share how the $1.2 billion Local Government Federal Credit Union’s approval of a member business loan helped out.

Bill Carter, vice president of commercial lending at LGFCU Financial Partners, said the Raleigh, N.C.-based credit union learned that the volunteer fire department was seeking a loan for its construction financing needs, according to the North Carolina Credit Union League. The fire department received the loan in 2009.

Ellmers met with Rockfish VFD Chief Todd Wood and former board chairman George Blue during her recent tour. Both Wood and Blue told her how LGFCU helped out. The legislator also toured the stationhouse and a new training room, which is available for community groups to use. 

The North Carolina league said Ellmers is a co-sponsor of HR 1418, legislation that would increase the ability of credit unions to make MBLs.

Dan Schline, league senior vice president of association services, who was also on the tour, said visiting the fire department gave Ellmers an opportunity to see firsthand how credit unions are having an impact.