(KMZA)--Plans for the construction of a new fire station in the Nemaha County Community of Bern suffer a setback.

The Nemaha County Commission Monday reviewed a letter received from the Kansas Department of Commerce informing them that the KAN-STEP grant application on behalf of Fire District #4 has been denied.

In denying the grant, the Department of Commerce said their evaluation has deemed the proposed six-bay fire station is in excess of the size needed to adequately serve the community.

The letter said the county can re-submit a Kan-Step grant application for consideration  or submit a Community Facilities application in next year’s round of funding.  

The current building is an old military Quonset that was torn down and re-assembled by volunteers in the 1960’s, which fire district officials says has several issues.