USDA Invests More than $1 Million to Improve Health Care for People Living in Rural Montana

USDA Rural Development Montana State Director Kathleen Williams today announced that USDA is awarding $1,079,000 in grants to improve health care facilities in rural Montana.

“Access to quality, affordable health care is critical for Montana families and communities,” said Williams. “The Emergency Rural Healthcare Grant program is a great way USDA Rural Development can help a diversity of health care facilities respond to their communities’ needs locally and effectively, and we are honored to be able to facilitate that.”

The Biden-Harris Administration made these funds available in the Emergency Rural Health Care Grants Programs through its historic legislative package, the American Rescue Plan Act. The Act and this program are examples of the government’s ability to respond quickly to ensure every person and family has access to high-quality health care no matter their zip code. In Montana, two organizations will benefit from these grants.

Granite County Hospital District is receiving a $79,000 grant to purchase equipment that will help increase the organization’s capacity to distribute vaccines and further serve residents in Granite County. The investment will also provide information technology support and cover additional costs for nurses to travel and administer vaccines.

Marias Healthcare Services, Inc. will use a $1,000,000 grant to help further renovate a former shopping building to expand the organization’s capacity to provide health care within Glacier, Liberty, Pondera, and Toole Counties. Earlier this year, USDA Rural Development provided a loan guarantee to purchase and make initial improvements to the building.

Today’s investments are included in a national release in which USDA announced $74 million in similar health care investments. USDA will announce additional awardees for Emergency Rural Health Care Grants in the coming weeks and months.

To learn more about Community facility investment resources for Montana’s rural areas, contact Montana’s Community Programs Director, Steve Troendle, at (406) 585-2529 or steve.troendle@usda.gov.

USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities, create jobs and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, tribal and high-poverty areas. For more information, visit http://www.rd.usda.gov/mt.. If you’d like to subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit our GovDelivery subscriber page.