Building North Dakota

State Director Jasper Schneider

Greetings,

Our medical facilities around the state are critical components to supporting population and industry growth. At USDA, we have focused on building-out our health care infrastructure to provide North Dakotans the highest level of care. This may mean constructing hospitals, clinics, nursing homes or helping communities purchase emergency vehicles and equipment.

Since 2009, USDA Rural Development has invested more than $178 million in projects to ensure that our residents have access to quality health care. These investments are more than just new buildings, they are supporting the efforts of health providers delivering vital services. It is also important to note the economic impact as our health care facilities are often times the number one employer in a rural area. Not only are they providing jobs, but they help sustain a community, making it a more attractive place to live and work.

Recently, we completed a Rural Health Report to spotlight our health care partnerships and projects in North Dakota. We are proud to play a supporting role in helping build a healthier, prosperous future.

- Jasper

USDA Partners to Build a

Healthier Future

The Rural Health Report summarizes USDA's efforts to help build healthy rural communities and highlights funding opportunities. Since 2009, USDA has invested more than $178 million in health care projects throughout North Dakota.This financing has been made in: hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, emergency services, wellness centers and telemedicine technology.

Read more from the following articles:

Bismarck Tribune: Investments being made in health care for rural North Dakota

Williston Herald: Hospitals continue to expand

New Medical Campus Under Construction

Watford City

Architectural rendering of the hospital.

McKenzie County Healthcare Systems in partnership with USDA Rural Development broke ground on a new medical campus in Watford City. The project will construct a 120,000-square-foot building that will combine the hospital, clinic and long-term care facility in to one central location.

McKenzie County is the fastest growing non-metropolitan county in the nation because of energy development. As the population continues to increase, added pressure is being put on local health care facilities. Emergency room visits in Watford City are up five times from 2006 levels. The aging and undersized 1950s-era hospital can no longer provide timely, first-rate care to patients.

Through the community facilities program, USDA has approved a loan for $39.2 million, which will finance about 70 percent of the project. Additional financing will be provided through the Medical Infrastructure Loan program administered by the Bank of North Dakota and from McKenzie County Healthcare Systems. Read more from the Bismarck Tribune.

Dickinson Vista Apartments

Dickinson

Dickinson Pacific Associates will use a $14.2 million USDA Rural Development loan to construct 136 apartment units in Dickinson. With low vacancies in the area and long waiting lists, the project will help address the shortage of affordable rental options.

Dickinson Vista Apartments will consist of four buildings with 32 one-bedroom units, 72 two-bedroom units and 32 three-bedroom units. For the benefit of future residents, a 2,500-square-foot community center will also be built, which will include an office, computer learning center and laundry facilities. Outside of the apartment buildings, there will be a covered picnic area complete with tables and benches.

USDA Rural Development will finance about 70 percent of the $20 million project with additional financing provided by Dickinson Pacific Associates. The apartments are expected to be finished in the summer of 2015 and offer monthly rental rates under market rent for the area.

Aneta Parkview Health Center

Aneta

APHC dedication ceremony.

Aneta Parkview Health Center (APHC) hosted a dedication ceremony to showcase the new addition to their nursing home. USDA Rural Development financed most of the project with a $2 million loan.

The expansion created more private rooms and an additional dining area for the Specialized Care Unit. During the project, updates were made to the bath suite, activity room, and all existing patients rooms. Currently, the health center employs 54 and is expecting to add more full-time employees.

The Edson and Margaret Larson Alumni and Leadership Center

Mayville

After a ten year fundraising campaign, Mayville State university celebrated the grand opening of the Larson Alumni and Leadership Center. USDA Rural Development supported the renovation project by partnering with Goose River Bank on a $375,000 loan.

Built in 1911, Northwest Hall has served many purposes, which now includes an alumni center. The historic hall was restored to offer a dedicated building for alumni and current students. There is space to host meetings, events and learning opportunities. Individual rooms also highlight local art, historical information and benefactors.

State Director Schneider addressing group at grand opening ceremony.

Outside of the Mayville State alumni center.

Announcements

Agriculture of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow: On August 6th, there will be a roundtable, "Partnering for a Better Rural America," held at the North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton. Participants will include Senator Hoeven, Senator Heitkamp, USDA Under Secretary Robert Bonnie, Former Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer and USDA State Directors Jasper Schneider (ND) and Colleen Landkamer (MN).

The public is invited to attend this event along with other activities designed to honor the 100th anniversary of the Richland County Courthouse which coincides with the 100-year celebration of the Smith-Lever Act that created the Cooperative Extension Service. Learn more about the events and RSVP at http://www.richlandcountycee.com/#!agriculture/cz09.

Water and Environmental program (WEP): This program provides loans, grants and loan guarantees for drinking water, sanitary sewer, solid waste and storm drainage facilities in rural areas and cities and towns of 10,000 or less. The interest rates for the WEP program lowered, effective July 1, 2014.

WEP Interest Rate changes:

Poverty 2.625% to 2.375%

Intermediate 3.500% to 3.250%

Market 4.375% to 4.000%

Through the Community Facilities Program, KEYA Radio received a $50,000 grant to replace the radio station's broadcast tower.

Deadlines & Events

July 28: Applications due for Section 533 Housing Preservation Grants. Read NOFA.
July 31: REAP application deadline. Read NOFA.
August 6: "Partnering for a Better Rural America" roundtable in Wahpeton.
October: Annual Financing Resource Tour held to educate about economic development programs. There are several dates in several cities throughout October.
Dec. 2015: Applications are being accepted through 2015 for Loan Guarantees under Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program. Read NOFA.

Website Contact Us News NOFAs Forms Progress Report

To file a complaint of discrimination, write to: USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410 Or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay). "USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer."