The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director Douglas Wilson today announced that the USDA is making over $21 million in loans available through the Community Facilities Program and Rural Development Loan and Grant Program to help rural Fairfield Memorial Hospital expand and renovate their current facility in Fairfield Illinois.
The Community Facilities program will include a loan of $19,900,000.00 to renovate and expand the existing Fairfield Memorial Hospital. The construction consists of a new three-story addition to the existing hospital, which is approximately 46,363 square feet. Portions of their 25-bed critical access hospital will also be renovated. The project offers additional space for mental health services, skilled care, rehabilitation, and orthopedic services.
The Rural Economic Development Loan is approved for $2,000,000.00 to provide Wayne-White Electric Cooperative, who will lend the funds to Fairfield Memorial Hospital. These funds will be used to expand and renovate the current facility to include a new emergency department, urgent care, clinic, and other additional rooms. The variety of services provides in Wayne County is vital to all residents. Fairfield Memorial currently employs 250 people and will be adding an additional 57 to their staff once construction is complete.
The Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program provides funding for rural projects through local utility organizations. USDA provides zero-interest loans to local utilities, which they, in turn, pass through to local businesses (ultimate recipients) for projects that will create and retain employment in rural areas. The top recipients repay the lending utility directly. The utility then is responsible for repayment to USDA.
The Community Facilities Direct Loans and Guaranteed Loans program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. A critical community facility is defined as a facility that offers an essential service for the local community for the orderly development of the city in a primarily rural area, is provided by public bodies, special districts, community-based not for profits, and Federally recognized Indian Tribes.