Over 100 people gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Greater Refuge Community Center, which was financed by a USDA loan. (State Director Trina N. George, front row, third from right)

A new community center financed through USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities program was the location of a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Canton, Mississippi last week. Read more »

Recently, Evans Memorial Hospital in Claxton, Georgia, received $200,000 in Recovery Act loan and grant funds to purchase a state-of-the-art digital mammography system. “This equipment will provide better imaging and allow for more accurate diagnostics,” said Donnie Thomas, acting Georgia Rural Development state director. “Providing reliable health care is a priority in rural areas.”

Funds were provided through USDA Rural Development’s Community Facility Programs, which are designed to improve the quality of life in rural communities. The $100,000 loan is repayable at 4 percent over 10 years. “This equipment will save lives,” Thomas said. “Keeping medical equipment current can be a big expense, but the benefit far outweighs the cost.” Read more »

Front Row: Heath Price and Richard Carrig, Rural Development; John Gillette, Corey John, Lacy Hindry and Chris Henning, Centennial Job Corp Center, Lori Church, Wilder Fire District Middle Row: De Enrico, Craig Lane, and Doug Amick Top: Frank Kinkler

I’m at the new Fire Station in Wilder, Idaho, where Engine 821 can now be stored indoors, protected from the elements, thanks to the community approving the financing of the station through USDA Rural Development’s Community Facility Loan and Grant Program, with funding provided to Rural Development in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) of 2009. Read more »

In a past visit to the Cheyenne River Youth Project (CRYP), in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, USDA Rural Development State Director, Elsie, M. Meeks, viewed the boxes and boxes of toys to be delivered on Christmas Eve.  Each year CRYP collects “Dear Santa” letters from over a 1,000 children on the Cheyenne River reservation, solicits funds and in-kind donations from organizations and individuals around the world, matches the Santa lists with just the right gifts and delivers the beautifully wrapped packages to eager children — and their grateful families. Read more »

Agriculture Committee Chairman Congressman Collin Peterson, Under Secretary for Rural Development Dallas Tonsager, Minnesota State Director Colleen Landkamer and others broke ground on a new senior facility last week.

Thanks the efforts of community members and financing from USDA Rural Development and Agstar Rural Capital Network, a project nine years in the making will soon be a reality in Hutchinson, Minn. Read more »

(From left) Dr. Gene Wright, HPWO board chairperson and his wife Jeanne; Randy Runyon, Ohio Association of Community Health Centers President/CEO; Tony Logan, Ohio Rural Development State Director; Patricia Morones, Golden Acres Ministrant Center; Phillip Morones, Golden Acres Ministrant Center; Richard Zsambok, Mayor New Carlisle City Council; Janis Sunderhaus, HPWO CEO; and (Cutting ribbon) Lorena Royer, New Carlisle Center Director; gather during a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the official opening of the newly renovated health care clinic serving Clark and surrounding counties.

Helping to bring quality health care to Ohio’s rural residents requires more than a passing interest; it demands a commitment that enables an organization to navigate the challenges that come with such a vision. Ohio Rural Development State Director Tony Logan joined the leadership of Health Partners of Western Ohio (HPWO) at a recent ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open their larger, newly renovated health clinic. Read more »