HEALTH CARE FACILITIES DEDICATED
USDA Officials Celebrate Opening of Units in Lewis, Fleming Counties
Flemingsburg, KY, March 10, 1998 -- US Department of Agriculture official Jan Shadburn, Administrator of the US Department of Agriculture's Rural Housing Service (RHS), today visited Fleming County to join Kentucky Rural Development State Director Thomas G. Fern, Bob Emmons Hospital Administrator, William Graham, Jr. President of the Foundation, Gerald Griffith Foundation Director, Ruth Rankin Chairman of the Hospital Board of Trustees, Jerry Ugrin Executive Director of the Primary Care, Sister Conal O'Connell Director of the Lewis County Primary Care Center, Inc., and Allan Harman Primary Care Center's President in ceremonies for the Fleming County Hospital Foundation Medical Arts Building and for the Lewis County Primary Care Center, Inc.
"USDA Rural Development is proud to work with these health care organizations to make the new facilities available to residents of the area," stated Shadburn. "Both projects reflect USDA's and the Clinton/Gore Administration's priorities of making sure that rural residents have access to quality health care, and that they enjoy the same services as do citizens of larger cities."
USDA Rural Development, through the Fleming County Hospital Foundation, recently obligated a $1,822,500 loan to construct a new addition to the hospital. The new facility, which will be located next to Fleming County Hospital, features 15,000 square feet to be used for medical offices and new clinic space. Administrator Shadburn and Kentucky Rural Development State Director Fern toured the Fleming County facility and reviewed the plans for the project, before awarding a ceremonial check to representatives from the foundation.
The Lewis County Primary Care Center, Inc. received a $955,000 loan from Rural Development to construct a 8,570 square foot building which will house 12 examination rooms, an x-ray laboratory, offices & nurses' stations, and a telemedicine center. A check presentation was made by Fern to the representatives of the Primary Care Center.
"USDA Rural Development dedicates its services across the state of Kentucky every day to help rural residents. We are happy to say that approximately 12,292 Fleming County and 13,029 Lewis County citizens will now benefit from the improved quality and service of local health care that will be provided by the Fleming County Hospital Foundation and the Lewis County Primary Care Center," said State Director Fern.
In Fiscal Year 1997, USDA Rural Development's Community Facilities program obligated a total of $4,495,700 in loans and $182,000 in grants to towns and communities across the state of Kentucky. Funds were used to renovate and expand hospitals, construct jail facilities and provide firefighting equipment to localities across the state.
Rural Development Community Facility loans and grants provide health care clinics, police and fire stations, school and child care centers to rural communities of 50,000 or less throughout the country. The commitment of USDA to this effort is at the core of its mission and its promise to help build stronger, more vibrant rural communities across the nation.
Contacts:
Kentucky Rural Development State Director
Tom Fern, (606) 224-7300