Release No. 0402.09
Contact:
USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623
AGRICULTURE SECRETARY VILSACK ANNOUNCES $54 MILLION FOR 46 COMMUNITY FACILITIES PROJECTS IN RURAL AREAS
Projects in 24 States Include Libraries, Food Distribution Centers, Equipment for First Responders
WASHINGTON, August 26, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the selection of $54 million in community facilities projects that are being funded immediately with federal funds provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that President Obama signed into law in February. Altogether, USDA has announced nearly $234 million in Recovery Act funding for community facility projects to date.
"The Obama administration is committed to revitalizing rural communities and bringing quality facilities such as hospitals, public buildings and community centers to small towns and cities that can benefit from new construction or upgrades to existing facilities," Vilsack said. "The Recovery Act funds we are announcing today will help create jobs and improve services available in rural communities throughout the country."
In addition to the $54 million that USDA Rural Development is providing for the 46 projects announced today, recipients have raised $9.1 million from other sources.
For example, in Renessalaer, Ind., the Jasper County Hospital was selected to receive a loan for $15 million to modernize the critical access hospital. Currently, the facility functions with original 1960's operating rooms and lacks modern medical equipment and very limited space for physicians. The funding will be used to construct a new 24,000 square feet addition and renovate the current facility. In addition, the hospital will be equipped with a permanent MRI scan room and equipment, six new Operating Room Surgical Suites and other services such as a Sleep Lab, Oncology Treatment Area, Medical Records and office space.
Meanwhile, the Friends of the Library of Philipsburg Project in Centre County, Penn., will receive a $200,000 loan and $100,000 grant for the acquisition and renovations of a permanent library site. The relocation and renovation of the library will assist in creating an anchor for the revitalization of the town's main street area potentially attracting additional businesses to the area. The 9,000 square foot library site which will now be large enough to meet the needs of the community will meet all current codes and ADA standards.
The funding announced today is being provided through USDA Rural Development's Community Facilities program, which helps finance essential community facilities for public use in rural areas. These facilities include childcare centers, hospitals, medical clinics, assisted living facilities, fire and rescue stations, police stations, community centers, public buildings and transportation. Through this program, USDA ensures that such facilities are available to all rural residents. These funds are available to public bodies, non-profit organizations and federally recognized Indian tribes.
More information about USDA Rural Development can be found at www.rurdev.usda.gov .
Funding of individual recipients is contingent upon their meeting the terms of the loan or grant agreement.
Alaska:
Opportunity, Inc.; $200,000 grant
Arkansas:
Newton County; $34,000 grant
California:
Seneca Health Care District; $26,000 grant
C Road Community Services District; $11,100 grant
The Arc of Butte County, Inc.; $80,000 grant
Tulare County Library; $55,000 grant
Tulare County Library (2); $55,000 grant
Tulare County Library (3); $55,000 grant
Colorado:
East Morgan County Hospital District; $25,000 grant
Woodlin School District R-104; $25,000 grant
Georgia:
Coffee County BOC; $127,500 loan; $22,500 grant
Turner County BOC; $12,572 loan; $50,000 grant
Idaho:
Wilder Rural Fire Protection District; $775,000 loan; $95,000 grant
Iowa:
City of Elma; $100,000 grant
Illinois:
Trade industries; $5,340 grant
Indiana:
Jasper County Hospital; $15,000,000 loan
Maryland:
Neck District Volunteer Fire Co., Inc.; $21,000 grant
Parsonburg Volunteer Fire Department; $50,000 grant
Wicomico County Fire Police Association, Inc.; $18,887 grant
Maine:
Cobscook Bay Resource Center, Inc.; $27,500 grant
Michigan:
City of Gladwin; $50,000 grant
Missouri:
City of Hayti; $250,000 grant
City of Fisk; $29,000 grant
City of Duenweg; $3,610 grant
City of Leeton; $2,415 grant
Northern Wright County Volunteer Fire Department; $3,740 grant
City of Senath; $37,500 grant
Sister M. Cornelia Blasko Foundation, Inc.; $116,400 grant
Village of Theodosia; $8,250 grant
Lewis County Nursing Home Auxillary, Inc.; $1,820 grant
Village of Pollock; $7,500 grant
New Mexico:
Taos County; $15,000,000 loan
Pueblo of Acoma; $11,409,600 loan, $500,000 grant
New York:
Town of Coxsackie; $70,000 loan; $30,000 grant
North Carolina:
Bladen County Emergency Services Building; $550,000 loan; $100,000 grant
Ohio:
Muskingum Valley Health Centers; $2,304,000 loan
Oklahoma:
City of Antlers; $34,615 grant
Pennsylvania:
Friends of the Library of Philipsburg; $200,000 loan; $100,000 grant
South Dakota:
Adams Museum and House Inc.; $85,000 loan; $15,000 grant
Eagle Butte Community Clinic; $66,250 loan; $198,750 grant
SD Municipal League $592,000 loan
Tennessee:
Intermediate Care Facilities; $1,600,000 loan
Virginia:
Cumberland County Industrial Development Authority; $2,000,000 loan
Shenandoah Rescue Squad, Inc.; $70,000 loan; $50,000 grant
Washington:
Nisqually Indian Tribe; $2,000,000 loan
West Virginia:
Raleigh County Public Library; $27,000 grant
President Obama signed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 into law on Feb. 17, 2009. It is designed to jumpstart the nation's economy, create or save millions of jobs and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. The Act includes measures to modernize our nation's infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need.
More information about USDA's Recovery Act efforts is available at www.usda.gov/recovery . More information about the Federal government's efforts on the Recovery Act is available at www.recovery.gov .
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