Community Facilities Program provides Funding Supports Schools, Libraries, Municipal Centers, First Responder Vehicles and Equipment, Other Community Needs
WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 2018 – Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced that USDA invested in nearly 400 projects to provide essential services for more than 7 million people in rural areas across the country in Fiscal Year 2017.
“Partnering with our small towns and cities to support essential services that rural residents need is one way USDA is facilitating prosperity in rural America,” Perdue said. “These investments will help communities significantly improve their schools, hospitals and public safety facilities and improve the quality of life.”
USDA infused $1.5 billion into rural areas in 2017 through the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program for projects such as schools, libraries, municipal centers, first responder vehicles and equipment, social service buildings, recreational activities and other community needs. These investments are helping improve the lives of nearly 7 million rural residents.
The Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center is one of many organizations to receive this form of assistance. The hospital is a community acute care facility located in McComb, MS, and serves a seven-county area of Mississippi. The Hospital includes the 160 bed Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center with over 1,000 employees and 70 physicians on staff, the Cardiovascular Institute of Mississippi providing comprehensive cardiovascular care, the Mississippi Cancer Institute for the treatment and prevention of cancer and a home health service serving 17 counties. The Hospital owns and operates 11 clinics, including rural health clinics, and an outpatient rehabilitation center.
These funds will be used to make improvements to their electronic health records system, by utilizing remote hosting, which will reduce associated costs related to hardware and infrastructure components; upgrade the HVAC system, and assist with refinancing their existing loans to generate additional savings.
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 services such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.