Today, at Southwest Healthcare Services last beam placement ceremony, USDA Rural Development along with Slope Electric Cooperative announced a $1 million, zero-interest loan to help finance the hospital and clinic currently under construction in Bowman.
“One of the most important things we do as a community is to care for each other, and one of the most vital places to do that is in our hospitals and healthcare facilities,” said Ryan Taylor, USDA Rural Development state director. “Today, we come together to celebrate the start of what will be a high quality medical center that provides good jobs, makes the community more attractive for businesses and families, and, most importantly, provides a place for us to care for each other in some of life’s most trying times. We’re proud to partner with Slope Electric to help this community offer modern, efficient, quality healthcare for all who live and work here.”
Built in the 1950s, the current hospital and clinic are not structurally adequate to meet modern patient needs and state-of-the-art equipment. Nearly doubling the size of the current facilities, the new 59,000-square-foot structure will be attached to the existing nursing home. By combining all health care services at one central location instead of the two current campuses, Southwest Healthcare will be able to provide more efficient and convenient care.
Through the USDA Rural Economic Development Loan program, Slope Electric received a $1 million loan for 10 years at zero-percent interest, which they passed on to Southwest Healthcare. The total project is estimated to cost near $30 million with USDA Rural Development also providing a $15 million low-interest loan.
Expected to be done in the spring of 2017, the hospital is being constructed to allow for expansion to go upward with a second story if there are future growth needs. Southwest Healthcare offers care to three counties in North Dakota, one in Montana and one in South Dakota. With about 190 employees, they are the largest employer in Bowman County.
Since 2009, USDA has invested over $200 million in North Dakota health care projects including clinics and hospitals, long-term care facilities, emergency vehicles and telemedicine equipment. To learn more about the community facilities program, please visit http://www.rd.usda.gov/nd.