WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced today that $50,000 has been awarded to Health Partners of Western Ohio to acquire essential medical equipment and build a medical library in Lima. These American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funds, awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), are part of the Rural Development Community Facilities Program.
"Ohio's rural medical facilities and the Ohio patients they serve will now have additional resources to ensure that the 21st century medical care reaches the people who need it most," Brown said. "By ensuring that modern medical equipment is available in underserved communities, we move one step closer to fulfilling an American commitment to improve the quality of life in all of our communities, including small towns and rural communities."
Located in Lima, Health Partners of Western Ohio - a Federally Qualified Health Center - is part of the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers.
USDA Rural Development's Community Facilities Program helps finance essential community facilities for public use in rural areas. These facilities include child care centers, hospitals, medical clinics, assisted-living facilities, fire and rescue stations, police stations, community centers, public buildings and transportation. Through this program, USDA ensures that such facilities are available to all rural residents.
These Farm Bill authorized funds are available to public bodies, non-profit organizations and federally recognized Indian tribes. Brown chairs the U.S. Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Hunger, Nutrition, and Family Farms. He is the first Ohioan in more than 40 years to serve on the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee.
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