Commissioners Moving Forward with Assisted Living Center

Ten to 12 jobs expected at $1.5 million facility to open in mid-2004.

By Chris Sorensen

KCP Staff

October 17, 2003

The Kiowa County Commissioners decided Wednesday to proceed with a project that will bring a 20 bed assisted living center to property just south of Eads.

The decision follows a public meeting held Tuesday night and attended by about 60 local residents. The meeting was called to review plans for the facility, which have been under discussion and development for three years. In an earlier, county-wide community survey, 59 percent of residents responding identified an assisted living facility as a high priority. People in attendance Tuesday night, representing a broad spectrum of the community, strongly approved of county involvement in the project. Market research also shows a potential to draw residents to the facility from Cheyenne, Bent and Crowley Counties.

The project received an addition vote of confidence just prior to the start of the formal presentation when Commissioner Rod Brown announced a contribution from Southern Colorado Critical Care Nurse, Ltd. Company President Raymond Minshall offered a year of free training for staff at the facility, which would save the expense of sending staff to other locations to receive necessary instruction. SCCCN, is based in Eads and, though new to the area, is one of the largest employers in the county.

With the Commissioner’s decision to move forward with the project, the next step will be soliciting bids from 10 banks to finance the project. Responses from the banks are expected November 1, with closing possible as soon as November 15. Construction is expected to start in January, though it could begin sooner depending upon how quickly the state approves the plans. The $1.5 million facility would be open to residents in July or August of 2004 and employ 10 to 12 people.

The building will be constructed on four acres of land southwest of the Country Manor Motel. The land is part of 800 acres recently purchased by the Kiowa County Economic Development Foundation from the Jackson family, and is being developed to include housing and commercial space, as well as trails and parks.

When completed, the assisted living center will include 20 units of varying sizes, some of which could become home to couples. In addition, plans include a library/reading room, TV lounge, dining room, and meeting/multi-function room. The entry area includes a fireplace and large amount of seating. An enclosed swimming pool and hot tub are also planned. The design allows for a second 20-unit addition if demand warrants the additional space.

While the cost of development and financing will be paid for through revenue from the facility, the county will take $180,000 from its reserve fund to become part of a "cushion" to cover expenses in case of revenue shortfalls. Conservative financial projections, based in part upon market demand and occupancy of similar regional facilities, suggest the project should have little difficulty meeting its goal of being self-supporting.

The project is part of a number of initiatives currently being undertaken by local governing bodies to restore the county’s economic climate in order to attract more jobs and residents to the area. The county is also overseeing the re-development of the Nipps-Bransgrove building in Eads to house a daycare center and possible office space. Among numerous other projects, the RE-2 school district has an innovative program to provide housing to families who enroll new students to Plainview School. Haswell is looking in to improvements for its water supply. The RE-1 school district, in conjunction with the recreation district, is updating and expanding recreation facilities. The town of Eads has already invested $750,000 in sewer system improvements, and is in the midst of a $2 million water system improvement. The government projects have also started to attract the attention of private businesses, which are in the early stages of their or development projects.

Assisted living facilities serve the needs of people who may not be fully able to live independently in their own home, yet do not require all of the range of medical services typically provided in a nursing home.