MONTROSE, PA – Senator Robert P. Casey, Congressman Christopher Carney (PA-10^th) and USDA Rural Development State Director Thomas Williams announced today that USDA has selected Endless Mountains Health Systems, Inc. (EMHS) to receive a $25 Million Community Facilities Direct Loan to construct a new two story, 96,000 square foot hospital to replace a fifty year old hospital in Montrose. Residents of the rural, mountainous area of Northeastern Pennsylvania will now have access to a multispecialty physician suite, a six-bay (current is 2-bay) emergency department with an airborne infection isolation room, cardiac/trauma room and a helipad. There will be an expanded operating room, additional exam rooms and increased number of beds. The new hospital will be located on land owned by EMHS in Bridgewater and will provide top of the line health care while creating jobs for the residents of Susquehanna County. The current hospital was constructed in 1956 and has had few updates since that time. The total estimated project cost is $45 million.

“This funding is great news for a new facility that will provide immeasurable health and economic benefits to the people of Susquehanna County and the region,” said Senator Casey. “Earlier this year I was also pleased to join Congressman Carney in announcing $700,000 in federal funding to be used to purchase equipment for the new facility.”

“I have been proud to advocate on behalf of Endless Mountains Health Systems and help shepherd this loan through the Department of Agriculture. A new hospital in Susquehanna County will pay dividends to the community for generations to come, by increasing access to quality, affordable health care. I’m thrilled that our efforts have paid off and that families throughout Susquehanna County and beyond will benefit from the new Endless Mountains Health Systems hospital. As someone who has chosen to raise their family in Susquehanna County, my wife and I know the importance of taking care of one another and this hospital will do that for generations,” said Congressman Carney.

According to Rex Catlin, EMHS Chief Executive Officer,  “A project of this size and scope requires a strong primary funding source and the Community Facilities Program of the USDA is stepping up to provide that primary source. This project is multi-generational and will provide a strong medical and economical base for Susquehanna County and this region for many years to come.”

“This hospital project will not only provide infrastructure in a rural county, it will contribute to the Obama administration’s continued efforts to turn the economy around and create quality jobs,” Thomas Williams said. “These projects, and others like them, are contributing to fully restore the American economy while improving the quality of life in small cities throughout rural Pennsylvania.”

The funding for this project is being provided through USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities programs, which helps finance and develop essential community facilities for public use in rural areas. These facilities include childcare centers, hospitals, medical clinics, assisted living facilities, fire and rescue stations, police stations, community centers, public buildings and transportation. Through its Community Facilities program, USDA ensures that such facilities are available to all rural residents. These funds are available to public bodies, and non-profit organizations.

USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages more than 40 housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a national network of 6,100 employees located in the nation’s capital and 500 state and local offices. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. Rural Development has an existing portfolio of more than $138 billion in loans and loan guarantees. More information about USDA Rural Development can be found at www.rurdev.usda.gov.