Bill Menner, USDA Rural Development State Director in Iowa, today participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for a large expansion and renovation project at the Shenandoah Medical Center.
The project, which received a $20.35 million direct loan from USDA Rural Development, will include the renovation of the existing hospital and construction of a two-story addition for the current medical clinic. The existing clinic space will be renovated into a new surgical area.
Other renovations will include a single entry point and registration/waiting area, an expanded emergency department, as well as the relocation of the respiratory therapy area and lab improvements.
The total cost for the project is expected to be around $21.7 million and should be completed by June 2017.
“As Iowa’s population continues to age the need for improved healthcare services aimed at older Iowans is rising, especially in rural areas of the state,” Menner said. “It is very important that leaders in rural communities continually look for ways to improve the healthcare services that are offered in their community.”
USDA Rural Development’s funding continues to have a dramatic impact on rural communities across Iowa. Since 2009, USDA Rural Development has invested more than $3 billion on essential public facilities, small and emerging businesses, water and sewer systems, and housing opportunities for Iowa families.
During the last six years, USDA Rural Development has supported nearly 50 rural hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes and/or assisting living facilities with more than $285 million in direct loans, guaranteed loans and grants to make needed facility and equipment improvements.
This past year USDA Rural Development’s investment in Iowa helped create or retain more than 1,000 jobs, aided 2,600 families in buying their own homes and assisted more than 60 communities as they made improvements to their facilities, services and infrastructure.
“Along with providing important services to rural Iowans, rural hospitals can be an extremely vital part of the local economic engine,” said Bill Menner, USDA Rural Development State Director in Iowa. “Many times these important healthcare facilites are that community's largest employer. The economic impact hospitals have on our rural communities and their surrounding areas is very significant.”
Contact USDA Rural Development
For more information about finance programs available through USDA Rural Development, please call the office located in Atlantic at (712) 243-2107 Ext. 4. This office serves communities, businesses and residents in Harrison, Shelby, Audubon, Pottawattamie, Cass, Mills, Montgomery, Adams, Fremont, Page and Taylor Counties.
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.
Further information on programs available through USDA Rural Development is available by visiting the agency’s web site at www.rurdev.usda.gov/ia.
USDA Rural Development is working with rural communities to create jobs, expand opportunity, encourage innovation and build a strong foundation for the future. The agency currently administers and manages more than 40 housing, business and community infrastructure and facility loan and grant programs designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents and farmers and improve the quality of life in rural America.
President Obama’s plan for rural America has brought about historic investment and resulted in stronger rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities. USDA’s investments in rural communities support the rural way of life that stands as the backbone of our American values.