A groundbreaking was held today in Minden for the start of Phase I and II of Bethany Home. Bethany Home, Inc. received, earlier in the year, a $6.1 million loan from Minden Exchange Bank and Trust Co. backed by a USDA Rural Development loan guarantee. These funds were leveraged with $371,000 from Bethany Home, Inc. and $450,000 from the Bethany Home Foundation, Inc.
Phase I will add eight assisted living units. Phase II will combine the two Special Care Units into one 16 bed Memory Support Household. The goal of the new area is to promote and enhance a higher quality of life for residents with Alzheimer’s/Dementia.
“Minden Exchange Bank & Trust Co. is very pleased to work with the USDA to provide financing for the Bethany Home, Inc expansion project. Bethany Home, Inc is a great asset to Minden and surrounding communities and this expansion will give them access to new resources to continue to provide care at a high level here in Minden,” said Vice President Rob Armstrong, Minden Exchange Bank & Trust Co.
“USDA is pleased to participate in this project. The changes made at this facility are very instrumental in meeting the changing medical needs of those assisted by Bethany Home, Inc.,” said Nebraska State Director Maxine Moul, USDA Rural Development.
“The Board of Directors of Bethany Home, the Bethany Home Foundation, the Leadership Team and Staff are all excited about the changes to our facility and the opportunity to provide services and care, to our Residents, in an updated, home like, state of the art facility,” said Bob Tank, Bethany Home, Inc.
Bethany Home, Inc. has been providing care to the elderly since its inception in 1921. The building that it currently operates from was originally constructed in 1961 and has undergone four expansions. Reconfiguring of units is needed to meet the needs of the residents today.
Phase III will renovate 10 Assisted Living Apartments into seven new Skilled Nursing rooms. This is the oldest part of the facility, and improvements will include installing new air handling units in each room and energy efficient windows, combining two spaces into one Day room and expanding the space for physical and occupational needs. Renovations will provide a Transitional Care Unit for the community to utilize as a rehab unit for individuals admitted for a short rehab stay.
For more information visit www.rd.usda.gov/ne. You can also contact Bert Mues at 308-237-3118 ext. 1128 or Bert.Mues@ne.usda.gov.
President Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities. USDA’s investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values.