(Washington, D.C) U.S. Congressman Sam Graves announced today that the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Development program has approved a guaranteed loan of $15 million to the Community Hospital of Fairfax. The funding will be used to construct a new critical access hospital in Fairfax.

“The Community Hospital-Fairfax is an integral part of care in Northwest Missouri,” said Graves. “This funding will ensure quality medical care for another generation. I am glad the USDA Rural Development program recognizes the importance of continuing quality medical care in rural Missouri.”

The current hospital was built in 1949 and is a not for profit critical access hospital. The hospital is the primary healthcare provider for Atchison and Holt counties. It receives no funding from taxes and is supported through community gifting and paid medical services.

In March, Graves was able to help secure $381,000 in funding for the new hospital’s construction through the Omnibus Appropriations bill.

USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development fosters growth in homeownership, finances business development, and supports creation of critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA's web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.

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