CLINTON, Minn., Aug. 27, 2020 – Water’s Edge Assisted Living officials today celebrated the groundbreaking of a $4.5 million 20-unit facility alongside USDA Rural Development, local, state and national officials.
"Modern infrastructure is the bedrock of any community," USDA Rural Development State Director for Minnesota Brad Finstad said. "Whether it's building a new assisted living facility, refurbishing a fire hall, or purchasing essential equipment, these projects play a substantial role in furthering economic prosperity for rural communities like Clinton. Under the leadership of Agriculture Secretary Perdue and USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand, USDA is dedicated to partnering with rural communities to make projects like these a reality. Because when rural America thrives, all of America thrives."
Water’s Edge Assisted Living operates an existing facility, originally constructed in 1964 as a nursing home. The resident rooms are approximately 200 square feet, and each pair of two rooms share a bathroom. The facility is in very poor condition and needs numerous upgrades, including HVAC, commercial kitchen, plumbing system, sprinkler system, and boilers.
The new facility will be 23,000 square feet and have 20 units (19 living units and one guest room), featuring 405 to 880 square feet rooms, each with a private bathroom. The design will include a commercial kitchen, dining area, gathering spaces, laundry, beauty parlor, storage, and a modest space that will be leased to Ortonville Area Health Services for use as a satellite clinic. The new building will resolve health and safety concerns at the existing facility and drive economic prosperity for the 2,209 residents of the facility’s service area.
Funding for this project comes from a $3,447,000 direct loan and a $160,500 grant through USDA’s Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant program. Water’s Edge will contribute $885,000 for a total project cost of $4,522,500. Financing during the construction period will come from CenBank of Ortonville.
More than 100 types of projects are eligible for Community Facilities funding. 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.
To learn more about investment resources for community facilities, contact your local USDA Rural Development area office for information about additional funding, application procedures and eligibility details. Also see the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program Guidance Book for Applicants (PDF, 669 KB), a detailed overview of the application process.
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/mn.
If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
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