Usually we hear of counties selling their unprofitable skilled nursing facilities, but not this time. A county in Pennsylvania is building a brand-new facility to replace its existing 80-year old SNF, with the help of a $34 million loan from the USDA. Located in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, the old facility was originally built in 1938, with additions in the 1970s and 1990s, and was experiencing higher and higher maintenance costs. Owned by Centre County, the facility was also operated by the county until 2013, when a not-for-profit board took over, leasing the property for $1 a year.

Since then, the not-for-profit has improved occupancy, with a 75% Medicaid census, and made the facility profitable again. But now, they look to continue that success in a new $39 million, 240-bed facility. The replacement facility is expected to open in 2020 and will feature a dedicated 30-bed short-term rehab unit, 31-bed memory care unit, 29-bed high-acuity unit and 120 beds of long-term care, with a unit of 30 private rooms. Financing for the project is contingent on an additional $6 million contribution from the not-for-profit board, which it expects to fund with savings and a fundraising campaign.