WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will award $9,985,000 in federal loans to three initiatives in Maine to support rural health and public safety. Downeast Horizons of Ellsworth, Down East Community Hospital of Machias, and Orono-based Independence Advocates of Maine will each receive a loan through the USDA Community Facilities Program to improve their operations.  

“We welcome these federal loans as an important investment in Maine’s health care and social service providers that will empower them to improve their facilities and strengthen their ability to provide high-quality services to Maine people,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement.

Downeast Horizons will receive a $1 million loan, Down East Community Hospital will receive a $4 million loan, and Independence Advocates of Maine will receive $4,985,000 loan.

The Community Facilities Program is administered by Rural Development, an agency within the USDA that works to improve the economy and quality of life in rural America. The Community Facilities Program invests in rural community infrastructure in order to support essential services and improve access to health care in rural areas.

The announcement of this USDA support comes as the department celebrates National Rural Health Week.

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