Lafayette Memorial Hospital Receives Assistance

To celebrate National Rural Health Day, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Wisconsin State Director Julie Lassa highlighted investments in health care projects by the Department, including nearly $61 million to assist in the construction of a new state-of-the-art critical access hospital in Lafayette County. USDA Rural Development is committed to improving the economy and quality of life in rural areas and small towns and that means investing in healthcare security in Wisconsin.

Constructed in the early 1950s, Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County in Darlington has been a health care staple for the nearly 9,700 residents in its service area and continues to be one of Lafayette County’s largest employers with over 140 staff members. Unfortunately, with a growing local population and no opportunity for expansion in its current condition and location, a new facility is needed to provide modernized health care services.

With help from a nearly $46 million loan and $9 million in grants through USDA’s Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant program, and a partnership with private lender Compeer Financial on a $5 million loan guaranteed through USDA’s Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan program, a new 75,000 square foot critical access hospital is being built to address these growing needs.

Once completed, Memorial Hospital will feature 24 beds, an emergency department, laboratory, radiology department, surgical facilities, dietary facility, rehabilitation space, eyecare clinic, and administration offices.

Lassa said that this year’s Rural Health Day theme, “Power of Rural,” is a sharp reminder of the importance of rural health care as it recognizing both the power of rural and the incredible efforts of rural health care providers and others dedicated to addressing the unique health care needs of rural Wisconsin.