By NANCY VORIS
Indiana Correspondent

HOPE, Ind. — The small Bartholomew County town of Hope is certainly living up to its name, as $468,000 in federal funds was presented to WindRose Health Network, Inc. for a health center.

The new facility, which replaces a tiny clinic in the Indiana town’s community center, will reach a large underserved population with health care on a sliding scale.

Mike Kolenda, director of WindRose’s four health centers in south-central Indiana, said their objective is to help people in underserved areas who cannot get to larger health facilities because of transportation problems.

“I’m so happy,” said Janet Kimbell. “I live in Hartsville, and I bring my great-granddaughter here. I used to have to take her to Edinburgh, but it’s a long drive, especially in winter.”

The USDA Rural Development Community Facilities low-interest loan in the amount of $368,000, as well as a $100,000 grant, were presented at a ground-breaking ceremony Sept. 3. The funds, provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, combined with Health & Human Services Administration and state funds, will finance the new rural clinic building and updated equipment and furniture needed for the new facility.

The new facility will be able to offer greatly expanded health care services and hours of operation to the community.

“We are really excited to have this project,” said Shirley Robinson, the town’s clerk-treasurer. “It’s going to be absolutely thrilling for this community. We really need and really appreciate it.”

“These projects help rural communities build and upgrade essential community facilities and infrastructure, and demonstrate President Obama’s continued efforts to improve the quality of life for rural residents throughout the country,” Phil Lehmkuhler, USDA Rural Development Indiana director said.

“We are seeing towns and communities across Indiana receive significant benefits through the Recovery Act.”

The Hope area is a rural community that does not have satisfactory access to health care, including basic medical services and more specialized care such as behavioral, pediatric, prenatal and others. This new health care facility will also assist in the economic development of the area, since access to quality health care is considered vital for companies that are looking for new areas for expansion.

“This grant and loan are in keeping with the mission of USDA Rural Development, which is to provide equity and technical assistance to finance and foster growth in homeownership, business development and critical community and technology infrastructure,” said Lehmkuhler.

“USDA Rural Development’s community programs seek to improve the quality of life in rural America through a variety of loan and grant programs for water and waste disposal projects, essential community facilities and electric utilities and communications.”

Rural Development’s stated mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting www.rurdev.usda.gov