Representatives from Elmore City were at the State Capitol last week to accept an Emergency Rural Health Care Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Elmore City was one of 12 communities recognized as grant recipients by USDA Rural Development Oklahoma State Director Kenneth Corn July 28 as Corn announced grants totaling more than $4.6 million to expand access to healthcare as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.
“USDA’s Emergency Rural Health Care Grants program has played a key role in strengthening rural Oklahoma’s health care infrastructure and building capacity for the future,” Corn said in announcing the grants.
Elmore City received $423,250 in grant funding, which will be used to purchase two ambulances.
Elmore’s current fleet of ambulances is costing the city in extra maintenance and repairs due to age and usage. The USDA grant will increase safety and improve access to care for local residents.
“I can’t emphasize how important this is for us,” Elmore City Assistant EMS Director Lauri Ritchie said. “It’s a game-changer.”
Ritchie added the grant has allowed Elmore City EMS to shift funds previously designated for the purchase of a new ambulance to other critical needs, including payroll.
USDA has awarded $129 million in Emergency Rural Health Care Grants to improve health care facilities in rural towns across the nation. These grants will help 172 rural health care organizations expand critical services.
The investments will help regional partnerships, public bodies, nonprofits and Tribes solve regional rural health care challenges. These solutions will build a stronger, more sustainable rural health care system for the nation’s small towns and communities.
