Residents living in or near Shenandoah and Audubon will soon have access to improved healthcare options thanks to $21.9 million in loans from USDA Rural Development’s Community Facility program. Bill Menner, USDA Rural Development State Director in Iowa, said the Shenandoah Medical Center will be using a $20,350,000 USDA loan to assist with the construction of a two-story medical clinic addition, as well as making various renovations to the existing hospital and clinic building. The Friendship Home Association in Audubon will be using a $1,567,000 USDA loan to help construct a 12-bed memory care addition to the existing facility.

The addition to the Friendship Home is expected to have five semi-private and two private rooms and will also include a serving kitchen, nurses’ station, activities area, dining room and exterior garden area. When the Shenandoah Hospital project is completed the hospital facility will also have a new surgery area, an expanded emergency department, a new entrance with a single registration point and waiting area, renovated laboratory areas plus updated mechanical systems for the existing facility.

The projects are receiving funding through USDA Rural Development’s Community Facility program which provides loan and grant funding to assist in the development of essential community facilities in rural areas. Loans, grants and loan guarantees can help public bodies or community-based nonprofits build facilities and purchase equipment for such things as healthcare facilities, public safety facilities and services, childcare centers, community buildings and libraries

During the last six years, USDA Rural Development has supported nearly 50 rural hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes and/or assisting living facilities to make needed facility and equipment improvements. USDA grants, loans and guaranteed loan funds to these projects topped $305 million.