Release No. 0509.09
Contact:
USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623
AGRICULTURE SECRETARY VILSACK HIGHLIGHTS RECOVERY ACT EFFORTS TO BOLSTER HEALTHCARE INFRASTRUCTURE IN RURAL AMERICA
Vilsack Announces $30 Million for 36 Community Facility Projects in 22 States
WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced USDA is providing $30 million for 36 community facilities projects through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, many of which are for healthcare facilities. To date, USDA has announced more than $335 million in Recovery Act funding for community facilities projects. Altogether, the Department has provided more than $94 million in Recovery Act loans and grants for 146 healthcare projects across the country.
"There are great disparities in our healthcare system today, and it is imperative that we achieve reforms this year to ensure that people in rural America have access to the healthcare they deserve," Vilsack said. "Revitalizing rural communities and building a 21st century economy is a promise the Obama Administration is committed to delivering and rebuilding our healthcare infrastructure will help rural residents have access to critical care. These Recovery Act investments will help build quality health care facilities and first-responder training centers in small towns and cities across the country."
In rural America and communities across the country, high costs or lack of insurance deters many people from seeking needed health care, and as a consequence, many illnesses go undiagnosed and long term costs increase. Recent studies show that rural Americans pay 39 percent of their total health care costs, out of pocket - the highest percentage for all Americans. Meanwhile, rural Americans are more likely than their urban counterparts to postpone or forego medical care because of the cost - nine percent say they delayed care and seven percent skipped treatment. At the same time, rural residents are more likely to report fair to poor health status than urban residents, have a higher mortality rate and are more likely to have a chronic condition such as arthritis, diabetes and heart disease. In fact, almost one in four Americans living in towns with less than 2,500 people have no health insurance coverage.
Pioneer Home, Inc. a non-profit health care provider in Fergus Falls, Minn., has been selected to receive a $10.75 million Recovery Act direct loan to construct a 105-bed nursing home to improve access to quality health care in Otter Tail and Wilkin counties. The new facility will feature modern equipment for staff and a common area for residents. In addition to the Recovery Act direct loan, Pioneer Home is receiving a $10.75 million non-Recovery Act guaranteed loan, also through USDA Rural Development's Community Facilities program.
In Cache County, Utah, the Bear Lake Community Health Center has been selected to receive a $2.1 million loan to purchase and renovate a building that will be used as a community health center in North Logan. The health center will charge fees based on a patient's income. When the new center opens early next year, local residents no longer will have to travel out of the area to receive affordable, fee-for-service health care. The new facility will provide dental services and will include a pharmacy. North Logan is in the Cache Valley, which has a sizeable college student and agricultural population who will benefit from these services.
In addition to the $30 million that USDA Rural Development is awarding for these 36 projects, recipients will invest $19.6 million from other sources.
USDA Rural Development's Community Facilities program helps finance essential community facilities for public use in rural areas. These facilities include hospitals, health care and assisted-living facilities, child care centers, fire and rescue stations, police stations, community centers, public buildings and transportation. Through this program, USDA ensures that these facilities are available to all rural residents. Funds are available to public bodies, non-profit organizations and federally recognized Indian tribes.
The funding for each loan or grant is contingent upon the recipient meeting the conditions of the agreement. Below is a complete list of the selected recipients:
Arizona
Wesleyan Preschool Kitchen - $11,825 grant
California
San Jose Community & Bea Main Learning Center - $35,000 grant
Colorado
Courage to Change Ranches Holding Company - $380,000 loan
Connecticut
Town of Sprague - $2,460 grant
Georgia
Dooly County Board of Commissioners - $50,000 grant
Illinois
Village of Bush - $30,000 grant
Hanover Township Public Library - $30,000 grant
Indiana
Town of Thorntown Fire Department - $172,500 grant
Kentucky
Menifee County Fiscal Court - $100,500 grant
Garrard County Cooperative Parish, Inc. - $40,000 grant
Maine
Community Concepts, Inc. - $225,000 loan
Maryland
Pocomoke City - $50,000 grant
Talbot County Office of Economic Development - $50,000 grant
Michigan
City of Ironwood - $1,550,000 loan, $50,000 grant
City of Harrison - $18,000 grant
Minnesota
Pioneer Home, Inc. - $10,750,000 loan
Missouri
City of Senath - $90,750 grant
City of Marston - $24,900 grant
Nebraska
Weeping Water Community Building Foundation - $500,000 loan
North Carolina
Calabash Fire Department, Inc. - $2,607,750 loan, $137,250 grant
Carolina East Home Care & Hospice, Inc. - $1,271,000 loan; $150,000 grant
City of Havelock - $1,700,000 loan, $100,000 grant
Town of Sandyfield - $346,490 loan, $61,140 grant
Mount Olive Family Medicine Center - $76,300 grant
Alleghany County Safety Training Facility - $335,755 loan, $190,000 grant
Brunswick Community College Southport Center - $200,000 grant
Oklahoma
City of Atoka - $69,000 grant
Rhode Island
Friends of SRIMS, dba Quest Montessori School - $2,473,800 loan
South Carolina
Macedonia Community Development Corporation, Inc. - $1,500,000 loan, $400,000 grant
Tennessee
Clay County - $615,000 loan, $100,000 grant
Town of Tracy City - $100,000 loan, $50,000 grant
Texas
Fisher County Hospital District - $13,410 loan, $16,390 grant
Utah
Bear Lake Community Health - $2,100,000 loan
Wisconsin
Trempealeau County - $689,000 loan, $145,000 grant
Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin - $272,000 grant
Town of Three Lakes - $17,500 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 .
USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development fosters growth in homeownership, finances business development, and supports the creation of critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA Rural Development's website at www.rurdev.usda.gov .
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