Hospital Expansion Enables Higher Standard
of Care and Long-Term Benefits
WILLARD, Mo., Nov. 19, 2021 – United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres Small today announced that USDA is investing $222 million to build and improve critical community facilities in 44 states, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and Puerto Rico. This community infrastructure funding will benefit nearly 2.5 million people in rural communities. It also includes $132 million to support health care, food security, and emergency response services for more than 850,000 rural residents in 37 states.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is delivering on its promise to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and rebuild our economy,” Torres Small said. “Rural Americans need emergency response, hospitals and medical facilities, and USDA’s loans and grants invest in critical infrastructure to make that possible. USDA Rural Development puts rural people at the forefront of investment and opportunity to help us all build back better, stronger, and more resilient.”
The Moab Hospital renovation will bring many long-term benefits to patients and staff, including improved access to many areas of the hospital, state-of-the-art services, enhanced privacy, and patient flow. Improvements include adding 28,540 square feet to the facility which will enlarge the medical office building, clinic, and surgery center.. The emergency department and urgent care rooms will also be enlarged to meet current minimum size standards including two rooms, a bereavement space and a new ambulance drop-off. Upgrades to the surgical area will help with patient prep and recovery.
The hospital upgrades will provide 9,225 rural residents with quality healthcare and create job opportunities for Moab’s evolving population. Investing in this hospital expansion enables a higher standard of care and hope for better outcomes for patients for many years into the future.
In addition, USDA is investing in 537 projects nationwide through the Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program. The assistance will fund essential community services that will help keep rural America resilient in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The projects will finance emergency response vehicles and equipment; build or improve hospitals and clinics; and combat food insecurity.
Background:
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. For more information, visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-facilities/community-facilities-direct-loan-grant-program.
Today’s investment complements the recently announced funding availability under USDA’s Emergency Rural Health Care Grants, which also is being administered through the Community Facilities program, Through this program, USDA is making up to $500 million available through the American Rescue Plan to help rural health care facilities, tribes and communities expand access to COVID-19 vaccines, health care services and nutrition assistance.
Under the Emergency Rural Health Care Grants, Recovery Grant applications will be accepted on a continual basis until funds are expended. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/erhc.
Interested parties should contact the USDA Rural Development Utah state office for information about additional funding, application procedures and eligibility.
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/ut. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.
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