Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced investments to improve rural community infrastructure, provide essential services and improve access to health care across rural America through Rural Development’s Community Facilities (CF) program. Today’s investments in health facilities and support for first responders come as the department celebrates National Rural Health Week.
“Rural America deserves quality, affordable health care, but too often local communities lack the capital to invest in improving the facilities that deliver that care,” Vilsack said. “I am especially proud of the role that USDA plays in addressing the critical needs for health care facilities, including mental health facilities.”
With today’s announcement, Secretary Vilsack said that the department has eclipsed a goal, set in December of 2013, to investing up to $50 million in CF funds over the subsequent three years to develop or improve mental health facilities and services in rural areas. CF funding in 2015 more than quadrupled that goal in just two years, funding more than $213 million in 80 projects in 34 states.
Among the awards to support health care services, buildings and equipment is a $1.77 million loan USDA provided to Wilmot Care Center, Inc. based in Wilmot, SD for the construction of an assisted living facility which will include eight bedrooms and three efficiency units. Upgrades will be made to the heating and cooling systems, dining area, nurse’s station and the lobby area.
In addition to health investments, the CF program invested in a wide variety of projects to address local rural community needs. In South Dakota, the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety based in Pine Ridge is receiving a $48,700 grant to purchase two police vehicles to be located in Oglala and the Boys and Girls Club of Lower Brule based in Lower Brule is receiving a $40,800 grant to replace windows, doors, and floor covering.
Fifteen recipients receiving funding today were given priority points through a provision in the 2014 Farm Bill that encourages communities to adopt regional economic development plans. These projects are centered on regional collaboration and long-term growth strategies. They leverage outside resources and capitalize on a region’s unique strengths. The city of Ash Flat, Ark., received regional development priority points to purchase training equipment for the fire department. Also in Arkansas, Woodruff received a $50,000 grant to install an elevator in the historic county courthouse to make it accessible for people with disabilities.
Since 2009, USDA has awarded $9.7 billion under its Community Facilities programs, including $4.9 billion for 1,052 health care projects; $266 million for improvements to 206 public schools; $133 million for 555 libraries; $39 million for 240 day care centers; and $791 million to support 4,876 public safety facilities in rural areas.
Funding of each grant and loan announced today, which amounts to more than $1.2 billion in new projects, is contingent upon the recipient meeting the terms of the funding agreement. The funding announced today will bring CF funding up to $1.8 billion over the course of the fiscal year 2015.
President Obama’s plan for rural America has produced historic investments 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.