U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small and State Director for Michigan Brandon Fewins today announced $1.1 million in grants to improve health care and economic development in two rural Michigan communities.
“Rural people deserve to live in safe and healthy communities,” Torres Small said. “The investments we’re announcing here in Michigan demonstrate how the Biden-Harris Administration is partnering with rural people to make sure rural communities can continue to access essential community facilities, like medical centers, for years to come.”
Sparrow Ionia Hospital will use a $1 million Emergency Rural Health Care grant to move their outpatient rehabilitation facilities off site, allowing for additional spacing between patients and isolating physical rehabilitation services from illness treatment services, improving preparations for future pandemic events.
“In addition to improving health care, USDA is also taking a leading role in helping communities develop sustainable economic growth,” Fewins said. “We are looking forward to working with Shiawassee County communities to enhance economic opportunities.”
The Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership will use a $149,987 Community Facilities Technical Assistance grant to assist 10 rural communities in Shiawassee County with infrastructure and business development. The assistance will target communities with less than 2,500 residents.
USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, ensuring access to 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.