State Director Clare Carlson today announced that USDA Rural Development is investing $115,300 to assist the Heart of America Medical Center in Rugby purchase a 3D mammography machine. The nearest facilities that provide this service are 120 to 180 miles round trip.
“The good health of our rural communities is vital to ensuring high quality of life across North Dakota,” Carlson said. “This investment provides residents in Pierce and surrounding counties access to cutting-edge screening equipment.”
This funding includes a $75,300 USDA grant and $40,000 loan to ensure patients no longer have to travel great distances to receive state-of-the-art services. Additional funding includes a $57,700 USDA Economic Impact Initiative grant and a $207,224 applicant contribution.
Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today announced $501 million in 60 projects to help improve health care infrastructure and services in rural communities nationwide as part of USDA’s commemoration of National Rural Health Day. This day is held annually on the third Thursday of November to focus on the specific health care issues facing rural communities. The Department is investing in 60 projects through the Community Facilities direct loan program. These investments will expand access to health care for approximately 2 million people in 34 states.
“Creating strong and healthy communities is foundational to increasing prosperity in rural America,” Hazlett said. “Under the leadership of Secretary Sonny Perdue, USDA is committed to partnering with rural leaders to improve quality of life and economic development through modern and accessible health care.”
Hazlett’s 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. NRHA and the Department will work together to identify management and financial indicators that impact rural hospital operations. This technical assistance will help rural hospitals continue to operate and provide critical health care services to serve rural communities.
In April 2017, President Donald J. Trump established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity to identify legislative, regulatory and policy changes that could promote agriculture and prosperity in rural communities. In January 2018, Secretary Perdue presented the Task Force’s findings to President Trump. These findings included 31 recommendations to align the federal government with state, local and tribal governments to take advantage of opportunities that exist in rural America. Increasing investments in rural infrastructure is a key recommendation of the task force.
To view the report in its entirety, please view the Report to the President of the United States from the Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity (PDF, 5.4 MB). In addition, to view the categories of the recommendations, please view the Rural Prosperity infographic (PDF, 190 KB).
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.