State Director for Rural Development in NY, Richard Mayfield, today announced that the USDA is investing more than $2.3 million in two projects in the state. These investments will benefit nearly 70,000 residents throughout rural Western NY including the Southern Tier.
“Access to health care is essential for every community,” Mayfield said. “It supports a high quality of life, and it helps businesses attract and retain workers. USDA is partnering with rural communities across the country to help rural residents and workers get access to modern, convenient health care services.”
Mayfield made today’s announcement as part of USDA’s commemoration of National Rural Health Day, which is held annually on the third Thursday of November to focus on the specific health care issues facing rural communities. Nationwide, the Department is investing more than $503 million in 61 projects through the Community Facilities direct loan program. These investments will expand access to health care for approximately 2 million people in 34 states.
- Livingston County EMS – This Rural Development investment of $2,236,000 in loan funding will be used to finance the 6,100-square-foot expansion of the Livingston County EMS (LCEMS) facility which will also include an emergency operations center. Eight of the county's 12 emergency vehicles will be stored in heated parking areas, allowing the diesel-fueled vehicles to be available in emergency situations even in frigid temperatures. The facility is in the town of Groveland in Livingston County. It provides emergency pre-hospital medical services to the county's 65,393 residents.
- Randolph Regional EMS - This Rural Development investment of $101,000 in loan and $59,000 in grant will be used to purchase a new 2017 road rescue ambulance. It will replace a 2008 model that has 80,000+ miles on it and has become unreliable. The new ambulance will serve the rural area of the town of Randolph and surrounding communities, population 2,602.
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.