Representatives from three dozen fire departments, rescue squads, law enforcement units and emergency service operations convened in Waynesville Monday for a grant writing workshop, hoping to find the key to unlock coveted state and federal funds.

They came from the rural enclaves of Burningtown and Spring Creek to the urban cities of Hendersonville and Asheville. U.S. Congressman Mark Meadows, R-Cashiers, addressed the audience at the start of the workshop, the fourth of its kind he has organized to help the agencies dial in on federal grant applications.

“It is such a competitive process,” said Meadows, who stopped in to the training to express appreciation. “We expect them to do a good job and don’t always say thank you.”