The Trump Administration and State Director Douglas Wilson today announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $3.4 million to improve critical community facilities to benefit rural residents throughout Illinois.
“At USDA, we believe that rural residents should have access to the same state-of-the art care available in urban and metropolitan areas. We understand that building a prosperous rural America begins with healthy people,” Wilson said. “Ensuring that rural communities have access to quality medical care and is a top priority for Rural Development.” “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA continues to be a strong partner to rural communities, because we know that when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
Background:
USDA is funding 256 projects through the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. These investments will be for such purposes as to build or upgrade schools, libraries, clinics and public safety facilities. For example:
- Family Counseling Center Inc., will use a $1.6 million loan to construct a 7,600 square foot building that will provide additional space for administrative personnel and counselors with two large group rooms, eight accessible restrooms, staff training room, conference room, break room and mechanical and data rooms. This project will provide adequate space for mental health services to residents in seven counties in rural southern Illinois (Alexander, Hardin, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski & Union) that are carried out in 31 programs through their Developmental Services, Behavior Health and Supportive Living Divisions. In Michigan, the Bay Mills Indian Community will use a $6 million loan to construct a 34,000-square-foot medical office building in the Eastern Upper Peninsula in Chippewa County. The Bay Mills Indian Community Reservation is located in a federally designated Medically Underserved Area and a Health Professional Shortage Area for primary care, dental and mental health. More than 20 percent of the community’s residents are people with disabilities. This investment will help provide medical, dental, pharmacy, lab, imaging, behavioral health, optical, community health and traditional healing services.
- Ferrell Hospital Community Foundation., will use a $1.5 million loan to provide additional funding to renovate the hospital facility by adding 55,000 square feet to house the emergency room, diagnostic imaging, lab, phlebotomy, surgery, post anesthesia care, ambulatory care and central sterile units in addition to a cafeteria, front lobby with exterior canopy, waiting area and an addition that will house the newly offered chemotherapy services. Renovations of approximately 17,000 square- feet to the administration, business office, accounting and human resource departments are included in the project, as well.
- Ashley Community Fire Protection District., is receiving a $270,000 loan to assist the Ashley Community Fire Protection District with the purchase of a 2020 Freightliner M2 106 Conventional Chassis/Two Door fire engine. This vehicle will replace a 1988 model pumper truck which no longer meets National Fire Protection Association standards. The district has 26 members that provides fire protection, First Responder EMS and rescue services to cover 94 square miles located in Ashley, Du Bois and Richview Townships in Washington County and a small portion in Jefferson County.
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.
Interested parties should contact their USDA Rural Development state office for information about additional funding, application procedures and eligibility details. Also see the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program Guidance Book for Applicants, 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.
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.