USDA Rural Development State Director Colleen Landkamer, along with local, state, and national officials, today visited Moose Lake, Minn. to help Moose Lake Community Hospital District celebrate the grand opening the expanded and refurbished $47.7 million Mercy Hospital & Care Center.
“Affordable and accessible health care services are key to the economic sustainability of rural communities,” said Landkamer. “Projects like these assist with staff retention and recruitment by providing the same services offered in larger cities. They also provide community economic development opportunities for the surrounding region that may have otherwise not been available by attracting new businesses and homeowners.”
Mercy Hospital & Care Center’s primary service area covers 11,300 residents in three cities and 5 townships that voted to be a part of the Moose Lake Community Hospital District.
The Moose Lake facility boasts a new 50,000 square foot facility that includes: an Emergency Department with private treatment rooms, Diagnostic Imaging with in-house MRI services, expanded gift shop, laboratory services, private birthing suites and nursery, and increased family waiting rooms.
Additionally, renovations were made to the Meditation Room, Administrative Offices; dining and kitchen; sleep study suites; chemotherapy and infusion services; and Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy services. A third surgical suite and new pre- and post-op rooms were added on to the existing hospital for increased privacy.
USDA Rural Development funding for the project is provided through the Community Facilities Program in the form of a $30 million direct loan and an $8 million loan guaranteed through AgStar Financial Services. Numerous partnerships were utilized to make this project a possibility, including: Agribank, CoBand, United FCS, First National Bank of Moose Lake, Frandsen Bank & Trust, Lake State Federal Credit Union, Northview Bank BWBR Architects, and Boldt Construction.
Since 2009, USDA Rural Development has invested over $401 million in essential community facilities such as hospitals, fire halls, emergency response vehicles, libraries and community centers for rural communities throughout Minnesota through the Community Facilities program. Rural Development also invests in housing, water and wastewater treatment, rural small business development and expansion, renewable energy and broadband.
For more information on USDA Rural Development programs, please contact your local Area Office by visiting www.rd.usda.gov/mn.