FRANKLIN, N.C., May 20, 2024 – Rural Development State Director Reginald Speight and members of his Team participated in a groundbreaking ceremony with Vecinos Inc., today.
Rural Development is investing $1.7 million in USDA Community Facility Healthcare and Appalachian Regional Commission Grants, with Vecinos Inc., to renovate a 15,323 square ft. building into a mixed-use community health hub facility for the rural citizens in Franklin.
The renovated space will feature:
- Spaces for primary care, dental, and behavioral health services
- A legal advocacy program
- Waiting areas
- Counseling offices
- Conference spaces
“People need to have access to quality healthcare no matter where they live in North Carolina. The Biden-Harris Administration recognizes this and I am proud to represent our Team here today,” said Speight. “When this facility is complete these rural people will have one less burden on them when they are in need of help whether it is legal advice or getting a cavity filled.”
According to the Rural Development Website, the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings.
Background
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 our 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, promoting competition and 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.
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