CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced that USDA is expanding access to health care for more than 5 million people living in 39 states and Puerto Rico 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 America’s health care infrastructure and building capacity for the future,” Torres Small said.

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has two projects with a total investment of $384,685.

“The pandemic took a heavy toll on rural areas that have limited resources to sustain transportation and equipment,” said USDA Rural Development State Director for Michigan Brandon Fewins. “These funds will help replenish and increase access to health care in the Upper Peninsula.”

Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital will use a $349,685 grant to purchase equipment, including a general X-ray machine, fluoroscopy and portable-imaging equipment. These items had significant use during the COVID-19 global pandemic.

The Gogebic-Ontonagon Community Action Agency will use a $35,000 grant to purchase a vehicle to transport meals to homebound individuals. The need for this project was identified as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic and will increase the region’s resilience to maintain services for future public health emergencies.

USDA is awarding $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.

To learn more, go to www.usda.gov.