Missouri Utilizing Recovery Act Funding for Water Improvements

I found it very rewarding to see the rural town of Gideon, Missouri utilizing the Recovery Act funds to make their water system safe.  The water project is one of the first in the nation to benefit from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds that President Obama signed into law in February.   

I presented Mayor Ron Wakefield of Gideon a Certificate of Appreciation on Friday, November 13, 2009 for his vision of tapping into the ARRA funds for essential improvements for the safety of his residents.  Senator Claire McCaskill and Congresswoman JoAnn Emerson were represented at the ceremony along with the Engineer, Contractor and City officials.

The City was awarded $2.4 million in USDA Rural Development dollars with a combination loan and grant to correct serious deficiencies in the 1930’s existing water distribution system that serves 454 residents and small businesses in the community.  Based on pay estimates, the staff advised me that they are over one third completed in making the necessary repairs.  I was proud to see the dollars at work with backhoes trenching and new water lines being installed.

Some of the folks I talked to made me aware that Gideon’s water distribution system has been plagued by problems for many years and has deteriorated to a point that monthly water outages are a common occurrence.  The City has been under intense scrutiny since the waterborne salmonella disease outbreak of 1993, which contaminated the City’s 100,000-gallon elevated tank.  Many upgrades were performed at that time, and again in 1997 when contamination was again confirmed, but serious concerns still existed regarding the more than nine miles of distribution lines.  Officials told me that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of bands on the old lines to stop leaks.  

With the funding provided to the City of Gideon by Rural Development, the existing distribution system will be completely redesigned.  Approximately 80% of the water lines will be replaced with all new, metered service lines, providing the City with adequate pressure to service its customers.  Improvements will also be made to the well house, chlorine feed system and a backup generator will be installed for emergency power. 

It would be an understatement to say that the impact of these funds on this community is really monumental! 

While attending the ceremony I met Slayton Boone, a student reporter from the Gideon High School.  He had an interesting perspective on the water improvements.  In fact, he relayed the story to Rural Development that the water system improvements was one of the “top ten”  items that appeared on T-shirts regarding improvements needed in Gideon. The phrase “No boil order on Water” was a not a desirable item but unfortunately a reality.

It makes me feel good to know that the Recovery Act funds helped create construction jobs but even more important is that this investment will remove a serious health hazard for this rural town and make it a better place to live for the future. 

- Jane Dunning, Missouri State Director, USDA Rural Development

Permalink  |  Posted: 12:54PM Nov 25, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA Web Site  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]

In-patient Hospice Care Close to Home

I recently had the pleasure of participating in a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Steve Richard, President/CEO, SUN Home Health and Hospice and otherstakeholders, for a new hospice center located within the Sunbury Hospital. USDA Rural Development awarded Sun Home Health Services, Inc. $99,500 through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Rural Business Enterprise Grant funding to create a six-bed inpatient hospice unit within the hospital.  Terminally ill cancer patients in Central Pennsylvania now have an alternative to travelling 30–150 miles to an urban area for short-term in-patient hospice care.

I was pleasantly surprised by the homelike atmosphere of the unit. Unlimited family visitation, where even small pets are allowed, and comfortable surroundings create a special place where patients and families can continue to receive the special care of hospice. 

For instance, the first patient, admitted on October 8, 2009, was able to remain in a home like setting while professionals provided advanced symptom management and pain control in the new unit.  Like many other terminally ill cancer patients, he has chosen hospice care so that he can remain in his home and close to family members. He was able to receive a higher level of care when it was needed, close to home, and then return home quickly.

It is anticipated that over 200 patients and their families will receive services annually for a brief period of time while they need special services at the end of life’s journey.  Prior to the opening of Sun Home Health Care Center, the closest in-patient hospice facilities were too far away for a terminally ill patient wishing to be close to his home and family. 

SUN Home Health and Hospice has been serving the community since 1969 and began providing hospice care in 1981 as part of its comprehensive community health mission.  During that time the organization’s team of healthcare professionals and community volunteers have touched the lives of thousands of individuals and families. I am very proud that USDA Rural Development was able to financially support this much needed inpatient hospice care unit in Pennsylvania. 

Thomas P. Williams, Pennsylvania State Director, USDA Rural Development

Permalink  |  Posted: 11:53AM Nov 23, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA Web Site  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]

USDA Recovery Act Funding Improves Water Quality in Eastern Shore Community

In addition to providing quality jobs, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) is improving antiquated infrastructure in rural America. For example, Jonestown, East of Easton on Maryland’s Delmarva Peninsula, is about to receive a long-needed upgrade to its water system.

On November 16th it was my privilege to join U.S. Senator Ben Cardin to meet residents of Jonestown’s Nelpine Heights subdivision, and to present a plaque to longtime resident Mable Friend, who has worked for 15 years to improve the quality of the tap water in her area. Thanks to her efforts, with assistance from the State, county and USDA Rural Development, the 22 homes in the subdivision along with the rest of the homes in Jonestown, will be hooked up to a new water system, which replaces an antiquated system and a number of shallow private wells. When the project is finished, 100 homes will have safe, reliable tap water. The $1.6 million project is made possible in part with $285,000 in USDA grant funds and a $95,000 low interest loan through ARRA, with the rest of the funding coming from Caroline County and the State of Maryland.

In order to highlight the funding announcement, we gathered at Coppins A.M.E Church, which has, through the involvement of its congregation, played an important role in securing the funds. We also announced the provision of $6.9 million in Recovery Act funds to the Commissioners of Sudlersville. Those funds will also be used to improve a water and wastewater system. I am proud that USDA Rural Development, through the Recovery Act, is able to provide affordable water system upgrades for Maryland communities, and I am pleased that Senator Cardin, who chairs the Water and Wildlife Subcommittee of the Environment and Public Works Committee, joined us in Jonesville to make this important announcement. As the Senator said, shoring up our aging water infrastructure is critical to creating and saving jobs that will help restore our nation’s economic growth.

Jack Tarburton, USDA Rural Development State Director, Delaware/Maryland

Permalink  |  Posted: 03:25PM Nov 17, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA Web Site  |  Add Your Comment Here [2]

North Dakota to Get New Hospital Through Recovery Act Funding

I had the pleasure of joining USDA Under Secretary Tonsager, Senator Kent Conrad, Senator Byron Dorgan and Congressman Earl Pomeroy in the ground-breaking of a new regional medical center in Jamestown, North Dakota. This project is a direct result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) that President Obama signed into law in February.

Through ARRA funds, our office provided $31 million to the Jamestown Hospital project and another $15 million guaranteed loan brought our total financing to $46 million. Needless to say, the community of Jamestown is incredibly excited about their new medical facility.

The current hospital was built in 1935 and has issues of air quality, privacy and security. The USDA Rural Development financed hospital will be a state of the art medical facility that will not only serve Jamestown, but a large geographic region in east-central North Dakota.

This hospital project is the largest funding ever financed by USDA in North Dakota, and one of the larger projects ever across the country. This project came together thanks to the community of Jamestown’s vision for a better tomorrow, the expertise from our team and the leadership of the Obama administration. The new hospital is scheduled to open in 2011 and is consistent with President Obama’s vision of building Rural America and delivering top-quality health care. I was happy to play a role in an investment that will pay huge dividends for many generations of North Dakotans to come.

One of those attending the groundbreaking, in addition to the dignitaries mentioned above, was student reporter Jackie Engdahl, a senior at Jamestown High School.  She interviewed Under Secretary Tonsager concerning the hospital project.    

Jasper Schneider, North Dakota State Director, USDA Rural Development

Permalink  |  Posted: 11:03AM Nov 13, 2009 by USDAblogger in USDA Web Site  |  Add Your Comment Here [0]