By HFT Staff

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest $1 billion to build and improve critical community facilities in 48 states, Puerto Rico and Guam. The funding will increase access to healthcare, education and public safety while growing community development and building sound infrastructure for people living in rural communities. 

“The Biden-Harris administration has made investing in infrastructure improvements a top priority,” says Jewel Bronaugh, USDA deputy secretary. “These loans and grants will help rural communities invest in facilities and services that are vital to all communities, such as healthcare facilities, school, libraries and first responder vehicles and equipment. When we invest in essential services in rural America, we build opportunity and prosperity for the people who call rural communities home.” 

The USDA will fund 731 projects through five programs to help rural areas. The projects will finance: emergency response vehicles and equipment; build or improve hospitals and clinics; and help other essential community facilities.  

In Alabama, the Medical West Hospital Authority will use $360 million in community facilities program funding to build a state-of-the-art, 200-bed hospital. This hospital will feature a 26-room emergency department, 12 operating rooms, eight labor and delivery rooms, and eight multi-purpose rooms. This 405,186-square-foot facility will be strategically located to serve rural west Jefferson County, rural west Tuscaloosa County and surrounding rural communities. This project will benefit approximately 333,000 rural residents in these communities. 

In Michigan, Munising Memorial Hospital will use a $63,000 economic impact initiative grant to purchase a mobile x-ray room. The medical equipment will include a computer interface and processing software, as well as the automatic transfer of patient information and reports. This equipment will benefit more than 9,600 rural residents.