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El Dorado, Kan. —
USDA Rural Development State Director Chuck Banks presented a ceremonial check totaling $1,525,000 in USDA Community Facilities Direct and Guaranteed Loan Program funding to Flinthills Services, Inc. Thursday to assist in constructing a new day center for citizens with developmental disabilities, a vehicle/maintenance facility, and renovating an existing building for an administrative facility.
“These loan and grant programs are a tremendous tool available to communities to assist in developing new or enhancing existing facilities for public safety, public service and health care. The benefits of the programs through low interest rates and longer than commercially available loan terms can significantly enhance the viability of needed community facility projects,” said State Director Chuck Banks.
Grant funds may be available to assist in the economic feasibility of the project.
Dana Korkki, executive director of Flinthills Services, Inc. said, “It is almost beyond words how very grateful we are to fulfill our vision and dreams for the appropriate facility to support persons with developmental disabilities in Butler County, Kansas. The folks at USDA have been great to work with and we appreciate the partnership that made this possible.”
Among its multi-purpose applications the current building is being used for, it is being assessed for possible use as a full-service disaster shelter, a function the facility already sometimes facilitates, though not fully equipped for such use.
Korkki said the new project is the first major project of its nature, but is an important improvement.
“It’s something we need to accomplish,” Korkki said.
Notable improvements on the way will include a more open, grassy outdoor space. Korkki also anticipates an increase in work productivity and ease of resolving scheduling conflicts.
“We’ll be able to do more things with the same amount of staff,” Korkki added.
Keith Conine is one among many employees who is excited for the incoming upgrades.
“It’s an opportunity to help enrich the lives of the people we serve,” Conine said. “I’m really looking forward to seeing it completed. It can’t get done soon enough for me.”
The total cost of the project will be $2,325,000, with $800,000 coming from state and private funding. Intrust Bank of El Dorado is participating in the funding through the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program.
USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities Programs are designed to develop essential community facilities for public use in rural areas. These facilities include schools, libraries, courthouses, childcare, hospitals, medical clinics, assisted living facilities, fire and rescue facilities and equipment, police and emergency vehicles and services, community centers, public buildings and transportation.
Through its Community Facilities Programs, the Department of Agriculture is striving to ensure that such facilities are readily available to all rural communities. Community Facilities Programs utilizes three flexible financial tools to achieve this goal: the Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program, the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program, and the Community Facilities Grant Program.
Over the past seven years alone, the Agency’s Community Facilities Programs have assisted over 590,000 rural Kansans and contributing $32.5 million in added community development to the state’s economy.
USDA Rural Development State Director Chuck Banks presented a ceremonial check totaling $1,525,000 in USDA Community Facilities Direct and Guaranteed Loan Program funding to Flinthills Services, Inc. Thursday to assist in constructing a new day center for citizens with developmental disabilities, a vehicle/maintenance facility, and renovating an existing building for an administrative facility.
“These loan and grant programs are a tremendous tool available to communities to assist in developing new or enhancing existing facilities for public safety, public service and health care. The benefits of the programs through low interest rates and longer than commercially available loan terms can significantly enhance the viability of needed community facility projects,” said State Director Chuck Banks.
Grant funds may be available to assist in the economic feasibility of the project.
Dana Korkki, executive director of Flinthills Services, Inc. said, “It is almost beyond words how very grateful we are to fulfill our vision and dreams for the appropriate facility to support persons with developmental disabilities in Butler County, Kansas. The folks at USDA have been great to work with and we appreciate the partnership that made this possible.”
Among its multi-purpose applications the current building is being used for, it is being assessed for possible use as a full-service disaster shelter, a function the facility already sometimes facilitates, though not fully equipped for such use.
Korkki said the new project is the first major project of its nature, but is an important improvement.
“It’s something we need to accomplish,” Korkki said.
Notable improvements on the way will include a more open, grassy outdoor space. Korkki also anticipates an increase in work productivity and ease of resolving scheduling conflicts.
“We’ll be able to do more things with the same amount of staff,” Korkki added.
Keith Conine is one among many employees who is excited for the incoming upgrades.
“It’s an opportunity to help enrich the lives of the people we serve,” Conine said. “I’m really looking forward to seeing it completed. It can’t get done soon enough for me.”
The total cost of the project will be $2,325,000, with $800,000 coming from state and private funding. Intrust Bank of El Dorado is participating in the funding through the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program.
USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities Programs are designed to develop essential community facilities for public use in rural areas. These facilities include schools, libraries, courthouses, childcare, hospitals, medical clinics, assisted living facilities, fire and rescue facilities and equipment, police and emergency vehicles and services, community centers, public buildings and transportation.
Through its Community Facilities Programs, the Department of Agriculture is striving to ensure that such facilities are readily available to all rural communities. Community Facilities Programs utilizes three flexible financial tools to achieve this goal: the Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program, the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program, and the Community Facilities Grant Program.
Over the past seven years alone, the Agency’s Community Facilities Programs have assisted over 590,000 rural Kansans and contributing $32.5 million in added community development to the state’s economy.
