Sioux Center, Iowa — A USDA official was in Sioux Center recently to give kudos to the people who were involved in the expansion of a community health center there.
The USDA tells us that their Rural Development State Director in Iowa, Theresa Greenfield, has announced the completion of a medical facility expansion project that is partially funded by the USDA. The leadership team of Promise Community Health Center held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of their new expansion.
Director Greenfield spoke at the event in Sioux Center, and said, “Modern healthcare systems are essential infrastructure in America. Under the leadership of President Biden, Vice-President Harris, and Secretary Vilsack, USDA is working with our partners to provide financial support for reliable, local medical services which (sic) support rural families and individuals and bring good jobs and economic vitality to rural Iowa.”
In November of 2022, Promise Community Health Center in Sioux Center received a $487,000 grant through USDA’s Community Facilities Emergency Rural Healthcare program. This project was designed to add over 9,000 square feet to the medical facility and include space for examinations, vision care, therapy, health care support, administration, and infection control measures.
In August of 2023, USDA Rural Development made a grant to Northwest Rural Electric Cooperative from the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program for $300,000 to replenish a revolving loan fund administered by the co-op. The initial loan from the grant assisted in the financing of the facility expansion of Promise Community Health Center. Repayment of the loan will be used for future business and community development loans.
The Iowa Primary Care Association says community health centers (CHCs) are composed of local, non-profit, community-owned healthcare providers serving low-income and medically under-resourced communities. CHCs address health inequities to ensure access to health resources.
