USDA Rural Business Programs Director in Kansas, Randy Snider is celebrating National Rural Health Day in Galena at Manzer Family Medicine. With more than one-third of Kansans living in 89 rural counties, having access to quality health care is a priority for USDA Rural Development. Since 2012, USDA Rural Development has invested more than $127 million in healthcare projects across the state of Kansas.
“Rural residents across the state depend on having quality healthcare, close to home,” said Snider. “USDA partners with several organizations and businesses to provide needed capital to a variety of healthcare projects including: medical clinics, dental clinics, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, medical transportation, healthcare equipment and technology.”
Today’s event takes place at Manzer Family Medicine, which is owned by Dr. Jonathan Manzer. In 2015, Dr. Manzer utilized a USDA Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan to purchase real estate to house a medical clinic in Galena. The practice provides a variety of services for children, adults and seniors that focuses on a whole-person approach. Manzer Family Medicine was founded in 2003, and has offices in Carthage, Mo., Columbus, Kan., Galena, Kan., and Pittsburg, Kan. University Bank, a branch of The Girard National Bank, out of Pittsburg, Kan., served as the lender on the project.
Eligible applicants for USDA healthcare financing include public bodies, nonprofit organizations, Federally Recognized Tribes, healthcare education providers, businesses, and eligible Rural Utilities Services electric or telecommunications borrowers. USDA programs that can aid in healthcare financing are: Community Facilities, Business and Industry Loan Guarantees, Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants, and Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program.
Southeast Kan., is home to more than 1.011 million residents. These communities are supported by 17 community hospitals, 64 rural health clinics, 7 federally qualified health centers and 830 primary care physicians and dentists.
The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) created National Rural Health Day as a way to showcase rural America; increase awareness of rural health-related issues; and promote the efforts of NOSORH, State Offices of Rural Health and others in addressing those issues. Plans call for National Rural Health Day to become an annual celebration on the third Thursday of each November.
Since 2009, USDA Rural Development has invested nearly $13 billion to start or expand nearly 112,000 rural businesses; helped bring high-speed Internet access to nearly 6 million rural residents and businesses; helped 1.1 million rural residents buy homes; and funded nearly 9,200 community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care facilities. USDA also has invested $31.3 billion in 963 electric projects that have financed more than 185,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines serving 4.6 million rural residents. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/results.