Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Support for Community Projects, Health Care and Education to Improve Quality of Life in Rural America
Mahaska Health Partnership (file photo D.Hubbard)
MHP receives $23 million in USDA funding for Surgery/Inpatient building project
Oskaloosa – Mahaska Health Partnership received official notice April 21 that their new building addition to house Surgery, Inpatient Services and the Birthing Center will be financed with a direct loan of $23,015,000 from the USDA. Construction is expected to begin this fall.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack yesterday announced support for projects to improve the quality of life in rural communities across the country. “USDA’s support for these projects reflects our commitment to ensuring that rural communities can create jobs, attract businesses and provide necessary services to their residents,” Vilsack said. “USDA Rural Development continues to work with rural communities to help them develop quality health care services, modern library facilities and school buildings, and reliable first responder equipment and services to ensure that people who live in rural areas have access to critical infrastructure.”
The 135 projects in 40 states, Puerto Rico and the Western Pacific are being financed through $234 million in loans and grants from USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities Program. Eligible projects include essential community facilities for public use in rural areas such as fire protection, safety, health care, education and many other community needs.
MHP CEO Jay Christensen said hospital officials were very pleased to receive the news from the USDA. “When we began the process of securing the best financing for
the building project, we started with two different applications for USDA funding. Well into the process, we were notified that the funding was no longer available. Ten months later we have secured what we believe is the best financing option for MHP and our community.”
Christensen said special thanks must be given to the rural development staff in Albia, Mahaska County Board of Supervisors Willie Van Weelden and Ken Rozenboom, the Oskaloosa City Council Members, the MHP Board of Trustees and Chairman Jim Hansen, and the many business leaders, physicians and community members who supported the building project.
The next steps will be rebidding certain aspects of the construction project, including steel and copper components. Christensen said he expects actual construction to begin this fall. “Everyone here is very excited with the great news. We believe we have the best project at the best financing to offer the best healthcare facility for our county.”
“We know we have an excellent medical staff and outstanding healthcare providers. It is proven every day with our quality indicators, safety scores and patient satisfaction scores. We are very excited to be building a facility that matches the excellence of our staff.”
This is a portion of the press release put out by the USDA in regard to the loan:
WASHINGTON, April 21, 2011 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced support for projects to improve the quality of life in rural communities across the country.
“USDA’s support for these projects reflects our commitment to ensuring that rural communities can create jobs, attract businesses and provide necessary services to their residents,” Vilsack said. “USDA Rural Development continues to work with rural communities to help them develop quality health care services, modern library facilities and school buildings, and reliable first responder equipment and services to ensure that people who live in rural areas have access to critical infrastructure.”
The 135 projects in 40 states, Puerto Rico and the Western Pacific are being financed through $234 million in loans and grants from USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities Program. Eligible projects include essential community facilities for public use in rural areas such as fire protection, safety, health care, education and many other community needs.
- Mahaska County Hospital – $23,015,000 direct loan to expand the hospital
USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a national network of state and local offices. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. Rural Development has an existing portfolio of nearly $149 billion in loans and loan guarantees. Visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov for additional information about the agency’s programs or to locate the USDA Rural Development office nearest you.
