Investment totaling more than $530,000 will help nearly 5,250 rural residents
FENNIMORE, Wis., January 3, 2023 – United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Wisconsin Julie Lassa today visited Fennimore to help the community celebrate completion of a new family practice clinic.
“I’m pleased to join the community in celebrating the opening of this new health care clinic in Fennimore today,” Lassa said. “This clinic plays an important role, not only in providing high quality health care to area residents but serving as an economic hub that strengthens Fennimore and this part of the state. This is one of the reasons why President Biden and the USDA have made investments in critical health care infrastructure, like the Fennimore Clinic, because it is vital to strengthening rural communities at their core and improving access to quality health care for local people.” [Audio: Mp3, 30 seconds, 711Kb]
Today’s celebration marks the completion of a new satellite healthcare facility, thanks in part to a $533,750 USDA Rural Development Emergency Rural Healthcare Grant. The clinic will provide patients with high-quality healthcare including primary services as well as rehabilitation, X-ray, and lab processing.
The new clinic will help local employers retain their workforce, including the ability for workers to receive their healthcare in town rather than traveling outside the area, potentially missing more work time, or relocating out of the community.
Background:
Between February 2022 and March 2023, the Emergency Rural Health Care Grant Program provided $16,768,371 in grant funding to help broaden access to COVID-19 testing and vaccines, rural health care services, and food assistance through food banks and food distribution facilities in 16 Wisconsin counties.
Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act in March 2021 to deliver immediate economic relief to people impacted by the pandemic. Within months after the Act’s passage, USDA responded quickly by making this funding available to ensure the long-term availability of rural health care services.
In August 2021, USDA made the Emergency Rural Health Care Grants available through the American Rescue Plan Act to help rural health care facilities, tribes and communities expand access to health care services and nutrition assistance.
To learn more about investment resources for rural areas, contact a USDA Rural Development office.
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/wi. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.