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Community Hospital District No. 1 Celebrates the Grand Opening

Name
Jessica Bowser
City
Onaga
Release Date

A grand opening ceremony held today in the northeast Kansas community of Onaga celebrated the completion of a large expansion and renovation project at Community Hospital District No. 1. The project, which added approximately 45,000 square feet to the hospital and renovated another 40,000 square feet, used $17.590 million in direct loan financing from the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development.

“Access to quality healthcare is critical for rural Kansans and the communities in which they reside,” said Patty Clark, USDA Rural Development State Director in Kansas. “As rural healthcare facilities in the state continue to age, USDA will work with healthcare providers to finance innovative healthcare projects that meet the needs of rural Kansans.”

The new Onaga hospital expansion includes surgery, emergency and pharmacy departments, as well as a physicians’ lounge, new entrance, lobby and reception station.  Renovations to the hospital will provide clinic space, laboratory, lobby, admitting area, gift shop, dining area, laundry and maintenance area and an administration department.  The enhancements will help increase patient privacy, and provide physicians and staff with access to newer equipment and technologies.

USDA Rural Development partnered with Bluestem Electric Cooperative to provide an additional $2 million loan to Community Hospital District No. 1.  Through USDA’s Rural Economic Development Loan program, the hospital received an interest-free loan to purchase furniture, fixtures and equipment needed in the new Onaga hospital facility.

In 2013, the hospital utilized a $4.966 million USDA Rural Development Community Facilities loan to make the transition to new health information technology and electronic health records software and hardware for the hospital.

USDA Rural Development’s funding continues to have a dramatic impact on rural communities across Kansas. Since 2012, USDA Rural Development has invested more than $1 billion on essential public facilities, small and emerging businesses, water and sewer systems, and housing opportunities for Kansas families.