U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) announced today that a total of $1.5 million in grants and loans from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been awarded to the Webster County Building Commission to purchase equipment for a new cardiac rehab program at the Webster County Memorial Hospital in Webster Springs.

“I am pleased to announce another step forward in our efforts to increase access to healthcare in West Virginia,” said Rahall.  “With this funding, area residents will be able to receive top-notch, state-of-the-art cardiac care at Webster County Memorial Hospital, sparing them travel to more distant facilities.”

The $1.5 million funding package consists of a $251,000 Economic Impact Initiative Grant, a $46,000 Community Facility Grant, and a $1,203,000 Community Facility Loan, all provided through the USDA’s Rural Development program. 

This funding will allow the Webster County Memorial Hospital to replace outdated computers; telemetry, lab, and radiology equipment; vital signs monitors, computers, and security equipment, as well as to purchase new equipment for cardiac rehabilitation and respiratory therapy.

“The hospital has been working for some time now for the opportunity to be able to improve the cardiac services it offers to the residents of Webster County,” said Chrissy Williams, Assistant Administrator at Webster County Memorial Hospital.  “The funding package awarded to Webster County Memorial Hospital by the USDA is going to make our dreams come true and assist us to fulfill our mission of providing quality healthcare close to home.”

“Expanding access to medical care for West Virginia’s rural communities has long been one of my top priorities,” said Rahall.  “Across southern West Virginia, we greatly appreciate the help of programs like the USDA Rural Development Fund that provide much needed assistance to our communities in their efforts to combat the complex set of economic challenges specific to our region.”