PHOENIX, Aug. 11, 2022 – USDA Rural Development State Director Charlene Fernandez today announced that USDA is awarding a grant to improve a health care facility in rural Arizona.
“Arizona’s rural communities are still feeling the painful effects of COVID-19 including supply shortages and out-migration,” Fernandez said. “It’s essential that our rural health care providers are equipped and staffed to respond to challenges like the pandemic. This investment will help Creek Valley Health Clinic continue to provide a high standard of care to its rural patients.”
The Biden-Harris Administration made these funds available in the Emergency Rural Health Care Grants Programs through its historic legislative package, the American Rescue Plan Act. The Act and this program are examples of the government’s ability to respond quickly to ensure every person and family has access to high-quality health care no matter their zip code.
Creek Valley Health Clinic in Colorado City is receiving a $385,596 grant to purchase medical supplies and equipment, increase vaccine distribution, expand telehealth capabilities, increase medical surge capacity, and support staffing needs for COVID-19 testing and vaccine distribution. Creek Valley Health Clinic is a nonprofit community health center serving five small communities in northern Arizona. Creek Valley offers essential medical services including exams, vaccinations, counseling, screenings, and many other types of care, including preventive care.
Today’s investments are included in a national release in which USDA announced $74 million in similar health care investments. USDA will announce additional awardees for Emergency Rural Health Care Grants in the coming weeks and months.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans 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, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit the GovDelivery subscriber page.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.