Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced investments to improve rural community infrastructure, provide essential services and improve access to health care across rural America through Rural Development’s Community Facilities (CF) program. Today’s investments in health facilities and support for first responders comes as the department celebrates National Rural Health Week.
“Rural America deserves quality, affordable health care, but too often local communities lack the capital to invest in improving the facilities that deliver that care,” Vilsack said. “I am especially proud of the role that USDA plays in addressing the critical needs for health care facilities, including mental health facilities.”
In Maine, USDA Rural Development is providing three healthcare and community organizations with nearly $10 million.
USDA Rural Development State Director Virginia Manuel said, “I am very pleased USDA Rural Development could make these meaningful projects possible in three rural Maine communities. This investment of nearly $10 million in rural Maine will help these healthcare facilities expand, improve, and continue their important work of providing essential services to Maine people who need and rely on them for healthcare and other programs that impact their quality of life.”
The three organizations selected to receiving funding are:
- Independence Advocates of Maine, located in Orono, has been selected to receive a Community Facility Direct Loan in the amount of $4,985,000. Rural Development funds will be used to renovate the existing Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities facility located in Orono. In addition to renovating the 9,800 square foot facility, two 3,000 square foot additions will be constructed. The 17-bed facility was designed and constructed in 1979 and no longer provides the space needed to operate today’s health care programs. This project provides the facility needed by Independence Advocates of Maine to provide these essential services well into the future.
- Down East Community Hospital, located in Machias, has been selected to receive a Community Facility Direct Loan in the amount of $4,000,000. Funds will be used to construct a new addition of 4,930 square feet and renovate approximately 2,420 square feet of the existing Emergency Department. The new Emergency Department will be designed to meet or exceed FGI Guidelines as well as the 2010 ADA Standards for accessible design, to better suit the needs of the hospital and its patients. The building project will be designed with flexibility built into this plan to allow for compatibility of adjoining spaces during peak volume. The added space will allow much needed space for improved technology and patient privacy.
- Downeast Horizons, located in Ellsworth, has been selected to receive a Community Facility Direct Loan in the amount of $1,000,000. Rural Development funds will be used to build a new 5,120 square foot Day Programs Facility for adults and children with developmental disabilities. The new facility will provide improved ADA access and increased amenities to train for daily living activities. The new site location will also provide adequate space for future expansion if necessary, as Downeast Horizons continues to grow. Downeast Horizons is a non-profit social service agency serving adults and children throughout Piscataquis, Hancock, and Penobscot Counties since 1974.
With today’s announcement, Secretary Vilsack said that the department has eclipsed a goal, set in December of 2013, to investing up to $50 million in CF funds over the subsequent three years to develop or improve mental health facilities and services in rural areas. CF funding in 2015 more than quadrupled that goal in just two years, funding more than $213 million in 80 projects in 34 states.
Since 2009, USDA Rural Development has awarded $9.7 billion nationwide under its Community Facilities programs, including $4.9 billion for 1,052 health care projects; $266 million for improvements to 206 public schools; $133 million for 555 libraries; $39 million for 240 day care centers; and $791 million to support 4,876 public safety facilities in rural areas.
Funding of each grant and loan announced today, which amounts to more than $1.2 billion in new projects, is contingent upon the recipient meeting the terms of the funding agreement. The funding announced today will bring CF funding up to $1.8 billion over the course of the fiscal year 2015.
President Obama’s plan for rural America has produced historic investments in rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have strengthened America’s small towns and cities and helped improve the nation’s economy.
USDA Rural Development has Area Offices located in Presque Isle, Bangor, Lewiston, and Scarborough, as well as a State Office, located in Bangor. There are 60 employees working to deliver the agency’s Housing, Business, and Community Programs, which are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, and farmers, and improve the quality of life in rural Maine. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA Rural Development's web site at http://www.rd.usda.gov/me.