Oakview Estates receives loan

It’s never a bad thing for a local business when the federal government presents it a giant check.
Thursday, that check represented a $285,000 loan for a project at Oakview Estates Assisted Living, including the construction and expansion of residential health care facilities. Oakview Estates finished up the project in January.
The project was designed to meet the demand for assisted living in the area, and was used to expand four double-occupancy rooms, a sitting area, landscaping and parking. The expansion is expected to create three new full-time jobs in addition to the eight full-time jobs already in use.
Frontenac Mayor Jim Kennedy gave Mark Scales, Oakview Estates owner, credit for providing a service to Frontenac residents.
“They’ve done a great job,” Kennedy said. “I’m glad USDA was able to come in and help.”
Scales returned the praise.
“It’s nice to have the support that we’ve had at some many levels,” Scales said. “We’ve had so many great partnerships that allowed this to get off the ground.”
Banks said that the loan to Oakview Estates was part of the more than $200 million the USDA spent on programs to help rural areas. Over the past six years, that number adds up to more than $1.2 billion.
“The best part about that is that it has added up to seven or eight billion in economic development,” Banks said. “It’s all about the partnerships.”
And those partnerships stretch across party lines — representatives from Democrat U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda and Republican U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback’s offices were present, leading Banks to state that rural development was “pretty darn bi-partisan.”
The stop in Frontenac was part of a two-day tour across the state presenting grants and loans. Banks said other stops included Lyons, Greensburg and El Dorado. On Thursday, visits included St. Paul, and a stop in Franklin to present a $50,000 grant, which, paired with a nearly $700,000 loan, will pay for a new fire station. Banks said the loan allowed the USDA to “get more bang for the taxpayer’s buck.” A straight grant represented 100 percent taxpayer money, he said, whereas a loan represents 12 to 15 cents for a taxpayer’s dollar.
“It’s a great way for us to get a better return on taxpayer money,” Banks said. “These are great programs.”

Kevin Flaherty can be reached at kevin.flaherty@morningsun.net or by calling 231-2600 Ext. 134