Dilworth's hopes of building a new fire hall received an unexpected boost with an almost $1 million federal grant announced this week.

The project, likely to begin construction starting next year, will replace an aging building attached to the city's community center on the east side of town.

Minnesota U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith announced the federal earmark through congressional directed spending, in which elected officials can target spending requests.

City Manager Peyton Mastera said he was "surprised" about the announcement as he had put in a request last summer.

"I thought it was kind of a shot in the dark," he said.

A decision on the bonding is expected this spring, and Mastera said they can continue with architectural work if that funding is secured.

The city would have to pay for the remainder of the project.

Mayor Chad Olson said in a statement that the federal funding "is a much-needed investment to provide greater public safety for the City of Dilworth as well as our region."

Dilworth Fire Chief and Clay County Sheriff Mark Empting said the plan is for a four-bay structure to house the volunteer department's fire trucks and other equipment, with offices and meeting rooms also a part of the project.

He said they would build the apparatus bays first to allow equipment to continue to be stored inside during construction, with the offices and other parts to the building to follow. The plan calls for the existing fire hall and community room to be demolished.

The fire department has contracts with Georgetown and four rural townships near the city to provide service. The department also provides mutual aid countywide.

The grant was part of a series of projects throughout northwest Minnesota that Smith and Klobuchar announced. The grant of $500,000 to help reconstruct Moorhead's downtown Center Avenue was also part of the earmarks approved.

Funding is expected to be delivered in the next several months.