On Saturday, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Missouri State Director Ben Baker participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Harrison County Community Hospital (HCCH). The hospital’s state-of-the-art upgrades were made possible by a nearly $57 million investment from Rural Development. This funding ensures the preservation and expansion of critical healthcare services for residents across Harrison County and the surrounding region.
"This milestone underscores the profound impact of USDA Rural Development infrastructure investments on rural healthcare," said Baker. "By expanding these vital medical services, we are laying the groundwork for local economic growth, sustainable job creation, and a higher quality of life for our residents."
USDA is administering the funding through Rural Development’s Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant program. USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities programs offer direct loans, loan guarantees and grants to develop or improve essential public services and facilities in communities across rural America. These investments strengthen critical community infrastructure, enhance quality of life, and help rural towns attract and retain businesses and services.
"This project perfectly illustrates the impact of investing in rural America through strategic alignment," said Harrison County Community Hospital Chief Executive Officer Tina Gillespie. "The USDA Rural Development Community Facilities loan enabled us to construct a modern hospital, ensuring our residents have access to high-quality healthcare close to home. Beyond advancing clinical care, this investment is creating jobs, strengthening our local workforce, and fueling regional economic growth. This facility represents far more than just a new building, it represents a healthier, more resilient future for our community."
The expansion aims to introduce numerous new features to the hospital, including private patient rooms, expanded surgical areas, and a dedicated space for outpatient specialty clinics. Apart from the new facility, HCCH anticipates many other improvements in Harrison County and surrounding areas because of this project. Some of the changes include economic development, with 20 to 30 new jobs at HCCH resulting from the new facility.
For more information on USDA Rural Development investments in rural America, visit the Rural Data Gateway. The Rural Data Gateway is an online tool that strengthens USDA Rural Development partnerships with rural people, entrepreneurs, government officials and Congress by making investment data accessible to the public.
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