State Director of Rural Development John Rounsaville announced that South Central Regional Medical Center has been awarded $4,213,672 through USDA’s Community Facilities direct loan program. These funds will be used to purchase the Jefferson Medical Associates health clinic and equipment in Jones County.
“We are committed to continuing to partner with rural leaders to create strong and healthy communities across the state,” Rounsaville said. “Our goal with any investment we make is to improve the quality of life for Mississippians, so increasing access to modern and accessible healthcare is a top priority.”
Jefferson Medical Associates employs 19 physicians in the fields of Oncology, Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, Pulmonary Medicine, Neurology and Cardiology. This acquisition by the South Central Regional Medical Center will allow community residents to continue to receive specialized health care.
Earlier today, Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced that USDA is investing $503 million in 60 projects through the Community Facilities. This funding announcement complements the finalization of a partnership between USDA and the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) to identify issues causing financial strain on rural hospitals, which are an important part of the rural health care system. This technical assistance will help rural hospitals continue to operate and provide critical health care services to serve rural communities.
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.