The effort to build a medical facility with enhanced medical services in Fremont County took a major step forward. Monday, the Riverton Medical District announced that it received a $37 million U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development grant that will be put towards the effort of creating a locally owned and governed health care facility.
The project came about over three years ago after services from the current hospital were either being eliminated or moved out of town. Medical district treasurer Vivian Watkins said that’s when the community decided to take control of its health care options.
“It’s something we felt we were not willing to accept…for our community to lose significant medical services,” said Watkins.
She noted that financing the project is the biggest hurdle, but this USDA low interest loan will provide a huge boost.
“The funding from USDA sets us up to have the ability to actually to turn this dream into a reality,” said Watkins.
It’s the largest such loan ever awarded in Wyoming. It comes on the heels of recent news that the Billings Clinic will be the managing partner of the facility. Watkins said they have received tremendous support along the way and they hope to be ready to break ground in the not too distant future.
