September 10- USDA Rural Development in Pennsylvania is celebrating the grand opening of a Residence Hall at Clarion University in Clarion, PA. The Clarion Suites II was a project funded by Rural Development through a $45 million Community Facilities Direct Loan.
The Clarion Suites II is a four story, 245,000 square foot student residence hall that will comfortably accommodate 728 students. The building will feature apartment-style suites or “semi-suites” that include private bathrooms in each unit. The building will contain approximately 277 two-person semi-suites with shared bedrooms, and 87 two-person semi-suites with private bedrooms. Each room will be equipped with modern technology capabilities including the access to both Internet and cable. Laundry facilities will be located on each of the four floors, and generous space for study and recreation will also be available for student use. Additional building amenities include geothermal HVAC, a large divisible multipurpose room, a 182-seat lecture hall/theater, a campus bookstore, a Denny’s Den, and a Starbucks.
In Pennsylvania last year, the USDA Community Facility program assisted 29 rural communities with loans and grants totaling more than $103 million dollars. These programs have helped small communities build schools, university residence halls, firehouses, and municipal buildings. The loans and grants also provide low cost ways for communities to acquire police and fire vehicles, emergency and utility equipment, and other critical infrastructure.
President Obama’s historic investments in rural America have made our rural communities stronger. Under his leadership, investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America’s economy, small towns and rural communities.