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The Morrison and the USDA Break Ground on New North Country Senior Community

Name
Pollaidh Major
City
Whitefield
Release Date

The Morrison, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials and representatives from the Northern Community Investment Corporation (NCIC) broke ground Monday on the Whitefield Senior Living Community that, when completed, will become the only senior living community in New Hampshire’s North Country. The $25 million facility is predominantly funded by the USDA and will provide 83 units of housing to moderate income seniors when its doors open in 2017.

“USDA Rural Development is responsible for ensuring that rural areas, like the North Country, are not only great places to live, work, and raise a family, but also great places to age surrounded by the love and support of tightknit communities,” said New Hampshire and Vermont State Director for USDA Rural Development Ted Brady. “By providing a home for senior Granite Staters, the Morrison’s expansion will play a critical role in maintaining the strong local community that defines the North Country.”   

Chief Executive Officer of the Morrison, Roxie Severance, noted that The Morrison, which currently manages a 24 unit assisted living facility and 57 unit nursing home and rehab center, launched efforts to construct the Whitefield Senior Living Community after a community needs assessment indicated the demand for a supportive living facility to serve area residents who chose to age within the region. The new facility will offer services and residential options along the continuum of care to meet the transitioning needs of seniors as they age. The new facility will feature 33 independent living apartments, 14 cottages, 24 assisted living apartments, and 12 memory care/Alzheimer’s units, along with spacious indoor and outdoor community areas and access to nursing services 24 hours a day.

“New Hampshire has one of the highest growth rates of elderly in the nation, and our current facility is already finding it difficult to keep up with the demand,” said Chair of The Morrison’s Board of Trustees Dave Haas. “Our new senior living community will provide housing options for moderate income seniors, who want to remain in the North Country and are looking for a variety of services to help them to age well.”

Funding for the 106,486 square foot complex is being provided by two low interest loans, totaling $24,973,000, from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Community Facilities Direct Loan Program. The program partners with municipalities and non-profits to invest in essential community facilities in rural areas. Additional funding for the project comes from a Community Development Block Grant of $475,000 and $144,216 in Morrison funds. NCIC supported The Morrison through the project development process. Severance noted that the impact of the multi-million dollar construction project would stretch far beyond the seniors who will call the facility home. Severance estimates that the construction will involve roughly 75 area companies and that the facility, once operational, will bring additional health service jobs to the region.

The Morrison nursing home has provided quality health care to New Hampshire seniors since 1903 through its skilled nursing, rehabilitation, long term care, respite care, Alzheimer’s adult daycare and assisted living services. With the Whitefield Senior Living Community, The Morrison will expand its range of residential options and increase its capacity. Seniors interested in the residences at Whitefield Senior Living Community should contact The Morrison at (603) 837-2541.

USDA, through its RD mission area, administers and manages housing, business and community infrastructure programs through a national network of state and local offices. Rural Development has an active portfolio of $214 billion in loans and loan guarantees. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural areas. For more information on Rural Development visit the New Hampshire Rural Development website (www.rd.usda.gov/nh) or contact USDA RD at (603) 223-6035.