Divine Providence Administrator Jayna Groebner said Divine Providence plans to apply for congressionally-directed grant funding through the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) for building repairs.

Groebner said a mechanical and engineering study was done several years ago for the 50-bed skilled nursing facility and 20 independent living apartments.

“Basically, the heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system needs to be upgraded,” she said. “We are a 501c3 non-profit which is a requirement to apply for this grant.”

She said a 2023 mechanical and engineering company estimated the project would include eight air handlers at $750,000 each.

Divine Providence Facilities Maintenance Director Mike Suess said air handlers, heating and cooling coils will be a big part of the project.

“When the building was built, the City of Sleepy Eye sold steam at a very reasonable rate and was the primary heat source,” said Suess. “When the City cut off steam decades ago, we set up boilers in a building addition. It’s been recommended to add hot water boiler heating now and add on to the back of the 1993 building with a new mechanical wing.”

He said two standby generators were added decades ago that would be replaced by one standby generator.

Suess said landscaping work is also part of the project.

He said the 1993 nursing home and later additions have four-foot deep crawl space underneath that are often wet from water that penetrates the crawl space, causing building support damage that was repaired with updated steel I-beams.

“The water won’t go away on it’s own. We feel we can replace a retaining wall and update drainage to get water away from the building,” Suess said. “There are several commercial dehumidifiers and sump pumps in the basement now.”

Sump pump and drainage line work was estimated at $480,000.

Suess said exterior drainage estimates are expected to be received soon.

Commissioner Dave Borchert said he fully supported the letter of support.

“What you provide is an extremely important resource for Brown County,” said Borchert.

“This is definitely needed. It’s a big expense,” said Commissioner Scott Windschitl.

Commissioner Brian Braun said the loan request will literally require an act of Congress and it should be known if the grant request is successful about a year from now.

“We’ll involve Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Congressman Brad Finstad’s office to help us out,” he said. “The long-term view is that there will be more senior care needed.”

Action came on a motion by Commissioner Jeff Veerkamp, seconded by Windschitl.