Today, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand announced that USDA is investing $65 million to improve critical community facilities to benefit more than 600,000 rural residents in 14 states. In Maine, the DFD Russell Medical Center, Inc., located in Leeds, will receive funding.
“Access to modern community facilities and essential services is critical for growth and prosperity in rural communities,” Brand said. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA is committed to being a strong partner with rural communities to provide essential services, because we know that when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
USDA Rural Development State Director Timothy P. Hobbs said, “This essential funding to assist DFD Russell Medical Center, Inc., is an excellent example of the ways Rural Development can help critical healthcare facilities in Maine. Rural communities rely on vital medical services, and our agency has loans and grants that may be able to provide hospitals and clinics with funding for renovations or life-saving equipment.”
DFD Russell Medical Center, Inc., located in Leeds, has been selected to receive a Community Facilities Loan in the amount of $371,000. The investment will be used to renovate the medical clinic. A psychiatric nurse practitioner has been added to the practice and additional exam rooms and support spaces are required to accommodate these services. The project will involve the construction of new offices, a conference/training room, and a restroom will be made ADA compliant. Completing these renovations will enable the new psychiatric exam rooms and support spaces to be located on the upper level of the facility, near other patient access spaces.
Maine’s project is one of 38 projects being announced through the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. Brand announced projects today in Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
More than 100 types of projects are eligible for Community Facilities funding. Eligible applicants include, municipalities, public bodies, nonprofit organizations and federally recognized Native American tribes. Projects must be in rural areas with a population of 20,000 or less. These investments can be used for purposes such as building or upgrading healthcare facilities, schools, libraries, and public safety facilities.
Interested facilities should contact Robert Nadeau, Community Programs Director, at (207) 990-9121, or email him at robert.nadeau@usda.gov. For information about additional funding, application procedures and eligibility details visit the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program Guidance Book for Applicants (PDF, 669 KB), for a detailed overview of the application process.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs 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 areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/me.
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