Sakakawea Medical Center in partnership with USDA Rural Development will break ground today on a new medical campus in Hazen. The project will construct a 54,000-square-foot building that will combine the hospital, clinic and long-term care facility in to one central location.
“Re-investing in our rural health care infrastructure is critical as these medical centers provide vital services as well as being economic drivers in their communities,” said Ryan Taylor, USDA Rural Development state director. “With the next closest hospital 60 miles away, USDA is proud to help build a new hospital in Hazen that will deliver high-quality care to the region.”
The current hospital, originally built in the 1940s, serves the City of Hazen and Mercer, Oliver and Dunn counties. Due to its age and lack of space, the hospital no longer can provide timely, first-rate care to patients.
Through the community facilities program, USDA approved a direct loan for $11 million and a guaranteed loan through Union State Bank for $10.3 million. The two loans will finance about 70 percent of project costs. Additional financing will be provided by the medical center and through the Medical Infrastructure Loan program administered by the Bank of North Dakota.
The new hospital and clinic will be attached to the current long-term care facility. With all services located under one roof, there will be numerous operational efficiencies, patient benefits and space for state-of-the-art equipment. The new facility will have 12 hospital beds, 2 operating rooms, 7 emergency room bays, 15 exam rooms, as well as a lab, pharmacy and administrative offices.
Since 2009, USDA Rural Development has financed more than $200 million in rural North Dakota health care projects. For more information on USDA Rural Development programs, please visit http://www.rd.usda.gov/nd.