CANE BAY, S.C. (WCBD) – Ground was broken Wednesday on the new Whitesville Fire and Rescue headquarters station in Cane Bay.

Leaders have been working on the project for many years.

The close proximity to Cane Bay residents will save them money on their insurance bill since the department will be able to respond quicker.

Ben Grambling, the developer of Cane Bay, donated the nearly 3-acre piece of property, which is estimated to be worth about $480,000. Then Gray Construction cleared the land for the department at no cost.

The $3.3 million facility will be a first of its kind in Berkeley County.

Firefighters and EMS crews will be on site and it will serve as a sheriff’s office substation.

Robert Bolton and his wife live in Cane Bay and say they are excited about the new department.

“We need some service and we’ll have it right here in our hands,” said Robert.

Headquarters will be open in the spring of 2020.