PRAIRIE BREEZE ASSISTED LIVING CENTER

Pender Care Centre District, Inc., the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development and Pender State Bank celebrated in Pender today, the grand opening of Prairie Breeze assisted living facility. The facility offers 16 units of affordable housing to the elderly of Burt, Cuming, Thurston, and Wayne counties.

"It has been a longtime vision of our hospital board and the Pender community to add an assisted living facility to our continuum of care. Our team has worked diligently over the last three years to plan, design and construct this facility to best meet the needs of our residents," stated CEO/Administrator Mike Hansen, Pender Community Hospital. "This facility will allow individuals and couples to remain in an independent setting while they may also benefit from the provision of services for personal care, homemaking, and other activities."

"It is great to open an assisted living facility for the citizens of the Pender Community Hospital District. Prairie Breeze will provide a beautiful environment for the residents to enjoy," stated Administrator Patrick Lichty, Pender Care Center and Prairie Breeze assisted living facility.

The facility was financed through an USDA Rural Development loan of $1,320,000, a Pender State Bank loan of $1,275,000 backed by a Rural Development guarantee and community donations of $270,000.

"Prairie Breeze brings essential, enhanced health care to the vicinity," stated Area Specialist Jolene Kasper, USDA Rural Development. "Elderly residents will be able to remain in their homeland area as the level of care needed will be available to them at Prairie Breeze."

"Prairie Breeze is a great addition to Pender and one that will benefit the entire area. Providing a wide range of housing and health care options is extremely critical to the viability of our community and we are very pleased that the individuals from the Pender Care Centre District have made the sacrifices necessary to make this happen," stated President Mike Minert, Pender State Bank.

Prairie Breeze consists of 12,590 square feet that features 16 residential units with a common space for housekeeping, laundry rooms, a tub room, general storage, mechanical space, a family visitation/dining area along with kitchen and pantry. An 828 sq. ft. covered canopy and an 8 stall garage are also included. Living units contain one bedroom, separate living area, bathroom and a small kitchenette.