Bladen Healthcare Picks up Financial Support
 
U.S. Under Secretary Agriculture for Rural Development, Dallas Tonsager, Congressman Mike McIntyre and North Carolina's USDA State Director Randall Gore were in Bladenboro Tuesday to announce grants and loan guarantees for Bladen and Robeson County projects.
 
Four County Electric Membership Corp received a $300,000 grant that will be used for the purchase of medical equipment for a new health clinic in Bladenboro.  Four County also received loan guarantees to establish a revolving loan fund.  $600,000 in loan guarantees will support low cost loans for Bladen Healthcare, LLC.  First Citizens Bank will provide the loan. According to USDA news release, the Bladenboro project will create and retain 20 jobs.

Williams, Tonsager & McIntyre

Tonsager with BladenHealthcare officials

Lumbee River Electric Membership Corporation in Red Springs was selected to receive  a $250,000 grant to provide financing to the Robeson County Government to help make required improvements to the county detention center.
 
McIntyre reminded those present that , "Rural America should not be forgotten and should not be left out whether it be in funding for education, healthcare or economic development."  The meeting was held in the Bladenboro City Hall.  The Congressman continued, "this building is evidence of tax money coming back to the local community.  We can work together to make sure we have a return on your tax dollar.  We have earned it."
 
Tonsager said the dollars, "create good things for our communities, helping to lead us out of the recession."
 
Franklin Williams, President of the Four County EMC Board, thanked the Congressman and USDA officials for their support.