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Hammond Center LLC Awarded USDA Rural Development $3.5 Million Loan to Construct New Assisted Living Complex

July 21, 2016

A $3.5 million loan from U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development has recently been awarded to the Hammond Center LLC to help construct a 20-unit assisted living community in Grinnell. The addition will enhance the healthcare services offered on the St. Francis Manor and Seeland Park campus of 31 acres which presently includes a 78-bed healthcare center, a Rehabilitation Clinic providing both in-patient and out-patient therapy services, home healthcare services, and 141 independent living residences.

Standing on the site of the future Hammond Center for Assisted Living are L-R:  Dion Schrack, St. Francis Manor Executive Administrator; Bill Menner, USDA Rural Development State Director in Iowa; Danny Carroll, Chair of the St. Francis Manor Board of Directors; Sheri Rice, USDA Rural Development Area Specialist; and Betty Hammond, St. Francis Manor Foundation Board Member.

“Access to quality healthcare is critical for rural Iowans and the communities in which they reside,” said Bill Menner, USDA Rural Development State Director in Iowa. “Helping leaders in communities such as Grinnell identify ways to improve these opportunities for rural Iowans is an important emphasis at USDA Rural Development.”

The proposed 2-story Hammond Center for Assisted Living includes 20 assisted living apartments (studio, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom) as well as community areas for dining, activities and socialization. The Hammond Center’s 24-hour response staff will provide supportive services and personal healthcare to individuals who require assistance with activities of daily living such as eating, bathing, dressing, toileting and walking. Services will include medication management, nursing services, daily meals, housekeeping and laundry, transportation to in-town appointments, exercise and wellness programs, social and recreational activities, and 24-hour security.

After the first and second floors of the Hammond Center for Assisted Living are fully operational and funds become available to finish the lower level of the building, a variety of amenities will be added to help keep assisted living and independent living residents physically, mentally and socially active, including a walking track, exercise equipment and a large room for fitness classes.

The Hammond Center will be conveniently connected on the north side to Seeland Park’s 10-plex apartments and on the west side to St. Francis Manor which provides skilled nursing and rehabilitation care; physical, occupational and speech therapy; and long-term nursing and restorative care. This will ensure a smooth transition should an assisted living resident require a higher level of care on either a short-term or long-term basis in the healthcare center.

The Hammond Center for Assisted Living will be dedicated in honor of Montie (1931-2014) and Betty Hammond, former and current Board Members of the St. Francis Manor Foundation. They have personified hard work, serving others, and community involvement throughout their lives. The naming of this center in honor of Montie and Betty will serve as a reminder of the joy they found in selfless giving of their time, energy and finances to the greater Poweshiek County area as well as to St. Francis Manor and Seeland Park.

A local Market Assessment for Assisted Living and Memory Care completed in May 2015 by global market research firm ProMatura Group found that the greater Poweshiek County area currently has a need for 88 additional assisted living units. By 2020, the need will increase to 112 additional assisted living units.

“None of us know what the future holds in regard to our own healthcare needs—or the needs of our parents, spouse, children or even grandchildren,” said Dion Schrack, Executive Administrator of St. Francis Manor. “That’s why it is so important to prepare now for what the future may bring so that facilities and amenities are available when they are needed.” 

“We are proud to serve the needs of rural people and places to ensure that rural America continues to thrive and to drive the economy,” Menner added. “We are very happy to be a partner with all the communities we serve as they work hard to make investments that will impact many future generations.”

The total cost of construction for the Hammond Center for Assisted Living is projected to be approximately $4.75 million.  With the $3.5 million loan, the USDA requires that at least $500,000 in cash be raised by the St. Francis Manor Foundation before construction can begin. If the needed funds can be raised soon, St. Francis Manor hopes to begin construction yet this fall and have the Hammond Center operational by January 2018.

Thanks to the generous gifts of more than 240 donors, over $340,000 in cash and over $100,000 in pledges have been raised as of July 18, 2016.  “Additional gifts and pledges of any amount are needed and appreciated to help us break ground on this important project for the greater Poweshiek County area,” said Mindy Van Dyke, Director of Development for St. Francis Manor. Checks to benefit the Hammond Center for Assisted Living Building Campaign should be made payable to “St. Francis Manor Foundation” and dropped off or mailed to 2021 4th Avenue, Grinnell, IA 50112.  For more information about this project, contact Mindy Van Dyke at 641-990-1381 or Dion Schrack at 641-236-7592.

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