RUGBY, N.D., Aug. 27, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary Dr. Basil Gooden joined USDA Rural Development State Director Erin Oban in visits to communities and with organizations across North Dakota supported by USDA Rural Development programs and funding, including a stop in Rugby, ND, where he joined Senator John Hoeven, the Good Samaritan Hospital Association Board, and staff and community members to celebrate the ribbon cutting and grand opening of the new Heart of America Medical Center.
Over $50 million was invested in the new facility from USDA Rural Development through the Community Facilities Program and the Emergency Rural Health Care Program. The new facility will include a critical access facility, emergency room, procedure suite, imaging lab, pharmacy and business office. There will be 25 beds, 6 of which will be acute care beds.
"Under the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA works tirelessly to expand access to rural medical care because we know that when people have high-quality health care, it builds stability within families and for the whole community," USDA Rural Development Under Secretary Dr. Basil Gooden said. "Together with the Good Samaritan Hospital Association Board and the Heart of America Medical Center, we are investing in the medical services, health care professionals, and the almost 13,000 people in the community of Rugby and Pierce, McHenry, Benson and Rolette counties who rely on their care."
This trip marks the second stop in the Midwest for Gooden, who recently was in Oklahoma to meet with community leaders. In North Dakota, in addition to Rugby, Gooden made stops in Belcourt and Devils Lake where he met with community organizations, Tribal and college leaders, and rural cooperatives. From North Dakota, Gooden will travel to Minnesota, and conclude his travels in South Dakota. During his visits, Gooden will see projects funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, which, over the last two years, has helped to provide additional funding resources for rural communities.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans 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, Tribal and high-poverty areas. Visit the Rural Data Gateway to learn how and where these investments are impacting rural America. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.
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