The Trump Administration today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $871 million to improve critical community facilities to benefit 3.5 million rural residents in 43 states and Guam. USDA Rural Development State Director Roy Holleman is pleased to announce an investment of $85 million to help rural residents access quality medical care in Madison and East Baton Rouge Parish.
“USDA is committed to increasing rural prosperity and a better quality of living in rural areas, Holleman said. “Rural Development offers Community Facility loans, loan guarantees, and grant funding to help develop essential community facilities for public use in rural areas.”
USDA is funding 256 projects through the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. These investments will be for such purposes as to build or upgrade schools, libraries, clinics and public safety facilities.
Projects in Louisiana:
- In East Baton Rouge Parish, Hospital Service District 1 is receiving a $61 million loan to renovate 37,000 square feet of the hospital and add an 82,000-square-foot, four-story medical tower. The addition will include 48 acute patient care rooms, surgical and intensive care units, nurse’s stations and administrative areas. The hospital employs more than 850 people. The expanded facility will provide a variety of specialized care to better serve the community.
- In Madison Parish, Madison Parish Hospital is receiving a $24 million loan to construct a 57,000 square foot critical access hospital. The critical access hospital offers in-patient and out-patient services, an emergency department, and includes 16 in-patient beds. This Rural Development investment also includes the construction of a 14,000 square foot rural health clinic and helicopter landing pad. The existing clinic will be renovated to accommodate administrative offices.
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.
Interested parties should contact their USDA Rural Development state office for information about additional funding, application procedures and eligibility details. Also see the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program Guidance Book for Applicants, 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.
If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.