Press Releases

ZACHARY, LA – U.S. Congressman Garret Graves (South Louisiana) announced a $61,380,000 investment from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the Hospital Service District 1 of East Baton Rouge Parish. The investment will renovate and expand the hospital facility and capabilities, as well as sustain employment for 850 people in the surrounding area.

"USDA is a versatile federal agency and their work touches every corner of this country, both rural and urban alike. Just this year alone, they have been instrumental in helping America through COVID-19, whether it was purchasing U.S. shrimp for distribution to community food and nutrition programs nationwide or helping families secure food and necessities," Graves said. "Through this particular investment, the USDA and the Administration's effort will help expand health access in the Zachary area and add economic value to the region. This is great news and I look forward to seeing the hospital district utilizing these funds to bolster their services."

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Project Description:

This Rural Development investment will be used to renovate 37,000 square feet of the hospital and add a four-story medical facility. The medical tower will add approximately 82,000 square feet to the existing facility. This includes 48 acute patient care rooms, surgical and intensive care units (ICU), nurses' stations, and administrative areas. Renovations include expanding admitting and surgical lobbies, outpatient surgery care, and increasing the radiology and post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) departments. The hospital serves many surrounding rural areas and employs more than 850 people. The upgraded, expanded hospital will better serve the community with specialized care.