Staff from U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development participated in a groundbreaking ceremony today for Hammond Center. USDA Rural Development awarded a $3.5 million loan to help with construction of the new facility that will add 20 assisted-living units to the St. Francis Manor campus in Grinnell and enhance healthcare services to rural Iowans. The event also marked the 40th anniversary of St. Francis Manor.
“Access to quality healthcare is critical for rural Iowans and the communities in which they live,” said Tim Helmbrecht, USDA Rural Development Acting State Director in Iowa. “Helping leaders in communities such as Grinnell identify ways to improve these opportunities for rural Iowans is an important emphasis at USDA Rural Development.”
The new assisted living facility will include 16 one-bedroom units, two two-bedroom units and two studio-style units. The building will include open living room layouts, extra wide corridors, a multi-purpose area and dining room. There will also be a full basement for a future exercise and aerobics room, a theatre room and therapy/exercise pool. The three-story building will add approximately 27,800 square feet and be joined directly to St. Francis Manor.
Funding for this project was awarded from USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities program which helps ensure rural areas enjoy the same basic quality of life and services enjoyed by those in urban areas.
“We are proud to serve the needs of rural people, places and communities to ensure rural America continues to thrive,” Helmbrecht added. “We are happy to be a partner with all the communities we serve as their leaders make investments that have long-lasting impacts.”
For more information about finance programs available through USDA Rural Development, please call the Albia office at (641) 932-3031 Ext. 4. This office serves communities, businesses and residents in Appanoose, Davis, Jasper, Lucas, Mahaska, Marion, Monroe, Poweshiek, Wapello and Wayne Counties.
Further information about USDA Rural Development programs is available by visiting the agency’s web site at www.rd.usda.gov/ia. USDA Rural Development has 11 offices across the state to serve the 1.7 million Iowans living in rural communities and areas. Office locations include a State Office in Des Moines, along with Area Offices in Albia, Atlantic, Humboldt, Indianola, Iowa Falls, Le Mars, Mount Pleasant, Storm Lake, Tipton and Waverly.