The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $1.9 million to improve rural health care in Northern Michigan. The grants will be used to repair and upgrade vehicles and facilities, as well as to provide new services, such as a dental clinic and a community center.
One grant of $100,500 will go to the Rogers City Area Senior and Community Center in Presque Isle County to replace a collapsed roof. The center is a long-term gathering place for senior citizens seeking to maintain healthy lifestyles. The facility continued to operate nutrition programs through the COVID-19 global pandemic and served as an emergency shelter for the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and socially distanced behavioral health services.
Another grant of $69,100 will go to Roscommon County to purchase communications equipment for the county's central dispatch department. The current equipment has reached the end of its useful lifespan and requires replacement to increase preparedness for future pandemic or medical surge events.
A third grant of $249,100 will go to Crawford County for improvements to the senior center. This was vital in mitigating the effects of COVID-19 on the senior population and these enhancements will further strengthen the community's resiliency.
A fourth grant of $92,700 will go to Tri-Township Ambulance in Montmorency County to purchase an ambulance that can safely transport patients with infectious diseases (e.g., COVID-19). This will support the organization's effort to prepare for future pandemics or medical surge events.
A grant of $1 million will go to the United Way of Northwest Michigan to purchase equipment and renovate the interior of an existing office building in Grand Traverse County to serve as a dental clinic. This project is a collaboration between the dental training programs at the University of Michigan and the United Way of Northwest Michigan. It will focus on serving children and veterans who need dental treatment, and who have been unable to obtain it due to behavioral and other challenging conditions.
An additional $455,000 grant will be used to convert the lower level of the same building into a community center that provides “wrap around services” to families and individuals while receiving dental treatment. This investment will allow the community center to be fully built out and equipped to include areas for group therapy sessions, a food pantry, and shared office space for staff from the Department of Human Services, Department of Veteran’s Affairs, and the local intermediate school districts.
These grants are part of USDA's commitment to improving access to quality, affordable health care in rural communities. USDA is also working to expand access to rural broadband, improve rural infrastructure, and support rural businesses. These investments are helping to create a more resilient and equitable rural America.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-ron_thomase+
Categories: Michigan, Government & Policy, Rural Lifestyle