A campus-wide open house held today in Jefferson celebrated the completion of a large expansion and renovation project at Greene County Medical Center. The project, which added approximately 51,000 square feet to the hospital along with significant renovations throughout the existing building, received an $18 million direct loan and a $2 million loan guarantee from USDA Rural Development.
“Access to quality healthcare is critical for rural Iowans and the communities in which they reside,” said Bill Menner, USDA Rural Development State Director in Iowa. “Helping leaders in communities such as Jefferson identify ways to improve these opportunities for rural Iowans is an important emphasis at USDA Rural Development.”
During the past five decades the medical center in Jefferson has undergone many renovations and additions. This project was the first that focused on tying the campus together through a central walkway and elevator to improve access, privacy and efficiency.
USDA Rural Development funds were used to demolish a portion of the south wing and to construct a 51,000-square-foot addition to the existing facility that includes a new primary care unit with private patient rooms, a new surgery area and new space for radiology, laboratory and respiratory therapy.
During the past seven years USDA has supported major facility or equipment improvements at more than 100 rural Iowa hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes and/or assisted living facilities with around $430 million in funding.
USDA Rural Development’s funding continues to have a dramatic impact on rural communities across Iowa. Since 2009, USDA Rural Development has invested more than $4 billion on essential public facilities, small and emerging businesses, water and sewer systems, and housing opportunities for Iowa families.
This past year USDA Rural Development’s assistance in Iowa helped create or retain more than 1,000 jobs, aided 2,400 families in buying their own homes and assisted more than 60 communities as they made improvements to their facilities, services and infrastructure.
“We are proud to serve the needs of rural people and places to ensure that rural America continues to thrive and drive the economy,” Menner added. “We are very happy to be a partner with all the communities we serve as they work hard to make investments that will impact many future generations.”
Contact USDA Rural Development
Residents, businesses and communities in Buena Vista, Calhoun, Carroll, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Greene, Palo Alto, Pocahontas and Sac Counties are served by the USDA Rural Development office in Storm Lake. For more information please call (712) 732-1851 Ext. 4. or visit www.rd.usda.gov/ia.
USDA Rural Development has 11 offices across the state to serve the 1.7 million Iowans living in rural communities and areas. Office locations include a State Office in Des Moines, along with Area Offices in Albia, Atlantic, Humboldt, Indianola, Iowa Falls, Le Mars, Mount Pleasant, Storm Lake, Tipton and Waverly.
President Obama’s plan for rural America has produced historic investment in rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have strengthened America’s small towns and cities and helped improve the nation’s economy.