Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

Washington, DC-Wednesday, Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall and Congressman Harry Teague announced that $9.4 million will be made available through a loan from U.S. Department of Agriculture to build the Guadalupe County Hospital. The funds, part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will go to replace the outdated care center currently in Santa Rosa. The new facility will house a 10-bed acute care hospital and medical clinic.

"I recently had the opportunity to view the plans for the new hospital, and was extremely impressed.  I'm very glad that the recovery package is helping get this important project done," Bingaman said.

"The new Guadalupe County Hospital will put high quality medical care within reach for residents of the county and the surrounding communities.  I am proud that Recovery Act funding is putting people to work on a critical project that will make a real difference in the lives of New Mexico families," said Udall.

"The people of Guadalupe County deserve a first rate medical facility and I am proud to have worked with folks in the community to secure the funding for this hospital," said Congressman Harry Teague.  "Projects like this hospital are essential to providing quality health services to rural communities across Southern New Mexico."

Guadalupe County Hospital, the only emergency care facility over the 275 miles between Albuquerque and Amarillo, Texas, will service the people of Guadalupe County as well as several other surrounding small villages and communities. Guadalupe County is currently a federally designated health professional shortage area.

The funding announced today is being provided through USDA Rural Development's Community Facilities program, which helps finance essential community facilities for public use in rural areas. Through this program, USDA ensures that health and safety facilities are available to all rural residents.