USDA Rural Development State Director Chuck Banks has announced the Agency has approved applications totaling over $4.1 million under the Agency's Community Facilities Program, for three projects serving 68,000 rural Kansans.

"These loan and grant programs are a tremendous tool available to rural communities to assist in developing new or enhancing existing facilities for public safety, public service and health care," said Banks. "The benefits of the programs through low interest rates and longer than commercially available loan terms can significantly enhance the viability of needed community facility projects."

Grant funds may be available to assist in the economic feasibility of the project.

USDA Rural Development's Community Facilities Program is designed to develop essential community facilities for public use in rural areas. These facilities include schools, libraries, courthouses, childcare, hospitals, medical clinics, assisted living facilities, fire and rescue facilities and equipment, police and emergency vehicles and services, community centers, public buildings and transportation.

Community Facilities Programs utilizes three flexible financial tools to achieve this goal: the Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program, the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program, and the Community Facilities Grant Program.

Thursday's funding announcement, split between $4,068,300 in loans and $50,000 in grants, will support the construction of three important community projects that will provide long-term benefits to these communities and service areas. Two of the projects approved for funding by USDA Rural Development include:

*Hospital District #5, Harper County - $1,870,000 ($1,000,000 guaranteed loan & $870,000 direct loan)   Funds will be used to connect the main hospital with the east campus, centralize the laboratory department, add new offices for doctors, centralize the admission department, upgrade the entrance to the hospital and add additional parking for employees
and visitors. The service area of the hospital includes the county of Harper, the City of Harper, and portions of Sumner, Kingman, and Barber counties for a population total of 4,915. Agency funds will be leveraged with an applicant contribution of $361,000, Kansas Department of Commerce Community Development Block Grant of $400,000, and Kansas
Tax Credits of $214,000.

*Flinthills Services Inc., El Dorado, KS - $1,525,000 ($839,000 guaranteed loan & $686,000 direct loan)  Agency funds will be used to construct a new center for citizens with developmental disabilities, a vehicle/maintenance facility, and renovate an existing building for an administrative facility. The service area in Butler County benefits a population of 58,077. Agency funds will be leveraged with an applicant contribution of $200,000, Kansas Department of Commerce Community Development Block Grant of $400,000, City of El Dorado funding of $173,000, and donations of $27,000.

During the announcement, Banks thanked the Kansas Congressional Delegation for their continued support of the Agency's Community Facilities Program, along with the many other USDA Rural Development programs. "Over the past seven years alone, the Agency's Community Facilities Program has assisted over 590,000 rural Kansans and contributing $32 million in added community development to the Sunflower State's economy.

USDA Rural Development's mission is to deliver programs that support increasing economic opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for rural Americans. As a venture capital entity, USDA Rural Development provides equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development, and critical community and
technology infrastructure in rural America. Since 2001, USDA Rural Development has delivered over $1.2 billion for Kansas covering all Agency programs, supporting well over $6 billion in future economic development for the Sunflower State.