United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for South Dakota Julie Gross today announced that Philip Health Services, Inc. has been selected to receive funding of $4,999,000 to make infrastructure improvements.
“USDA is committed to partnering with rural communities to build and renovate facilities that provide services to local and surrounding residents,” said Gross. “This project will assist Philip Health Services, Inc. with improving their health care facility that delivers a foundation for growth and prosperity in this rural community.”
Philip Health Services, Inc. will leverage the federal funding with $4,735,000 of other contributions for a total project cost of $9,734,000 to make renovations and add an addition of 14,500 square feet. This project will result in a memory care unit and an additional 12 beds. The upgrades will meet current handicap accessibility standards and provide a more residential home style facility. Philip Health Services, Inc. is the largest employer in the community and provides a wide range of health care services.
Gross’ announcement is in coordination with the recent announcement made by Rural Housing Service Administrator Bruce Lammers announcing that USDA is investing $52 million in 45 community facilities projects that will benefit nearly 200,000 rural residents in 16 states.
USDA is making the investments and has additional funding available through the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program. Interested parties should contact their USDA Rural Development state office for application and eligibility details.
More than 100 types of projects are eligible for funding under USDA’s Community Facilities program. Eligible applicants include municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations and federally recognized Native American tribes. Projects must be in rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less.
USDA will make additional funding announcements in coming weeks. Congress appropriated $2.8 billion for Community Facilities direct loans and grants in fiscal year 2019.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a cornerstone recommendation of the task force.
To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).