The U.S. Department of Agriculture is awarding an $844,812 Delta Health Care Services Grant to the Jefferson Hospital Association, the public governing body for Jefferson Regional Medical Center.
Jill Floyd, Arkansas state director for USDA Rural Development, announced the grant Monday afternoon. The project is one of more than 200 announced by USDA Rural Development Deputy Under Secretary Farah Ahmad that, according to a news release, will improve infrastructure, housing and economic conditions for underserved rural and Native American communities.
The investment is part of President Joe Biden’s commitment to those who have been historically underserved, marginalized and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality, according to the release.
USDA Rural Development Arkansas announced the funds will go toward renovation of the Jefferson Regional Watson Chapel Health Complex on Dusty Lake Drive, just north of Interstate 530 South, in addition to several new services.
This project will include the relocation of the Jefferson Regional School of Nursing from the main hospital campus. “The new, larger space will allow for expanded student capacity and further improve hiring, recruitment and retention of nurses in the Delta,” according to Rural Development. “It will also include improvements for the Jefferson Regional School of Nursing Telehealth Training Center.”
A commercial teaching kitchen to house and operate The Good Food Rx-Pine Bluff, in association with the Arkansas Rural Health Partnership, will also be constructed. Good Food Rx fights food insecurity among seniors.
Space for a dedicated Arkansas Rural Health Partnership office in Jefferson County will be provided as well. Work on these plans is expected to begin in early 2024, according to USDA Rural Development.