NEWS
RELEASE
United States Department
of Agriculture • Rural Development
3001 Coolidge Rd. • 2nd Floor North • Suite 200 • East Lansing, MI 48823
Phone: (517) 324-5204 • Fax: (517) 324-5225 •
alec.lloyd@mi.usda.gov
Contact: Alec Lloyd
(517) 324-5204
USDA Visits War Memorial Hospital, St. Ignace Projects
EAST LANSING, April 17, 2012 – U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Rural Development State Director for Michigan James J. Turner today visited sites in Sault Ste. Marie and St. Ignace to highlight the role of the agency in supporting rural communities and promoting economic development.
“These projects illustrate how USDA Rural Development is enhancing access to health care and protecting the environment,” said Turner. “Through these investments, we are also helping the communities by providing jobs for rural workers.”
Chippewa County War Memorial Hospital is using a $3,872,000 Rural Development Community Facility loan and an $18,077,000 loan guarantee to build an overhead walkway to the medical office building and city parking structure as well as upgrade the long-term care facility. The first phase of the construction now underway is expected to be complete in July or August of this year.
The tour also highlighted a $2,787,000 Water and Environmental Program loan to upgrade the municipal sewer system. This includes pump replacement, moving the outflow and other improvements to the wastewater treatment plant. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of June.
USDA Rural Development State Director for Michigan James J. Turner was appointed by President Barack Obama in 2009. 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 more than $165 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.
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