Connecting Community to Care: Co-Mo Connect Helps Deliver Critical Healthcare Upgrades Through USDA

When people think about Co-Mo Connect, they often think of the cooperative’s 87-year legacy of delivering reliable, affordable electricity to our members. They may also think of the high-speed internet that keeps families and businesses connected. Co-Mo is proud to provide those exceptional services, but at its heart, the cooperative has always stood for something more. Our mission has never been just about power or internet. It’s about improving the quality of life for the communities we serve. Recently, that mission took another meaningful step forward as Co-Mo Connect helped bring more than $2.2 million in healthcare upgrades to Lake Regional Health System.

Through a partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) program, Co-Mo Connect helped facilitate a $2,279,408 zero-interest loan to Lake Regional. Acting as the intermediary, Co-Mo Connect worked closely with USDA to secure and administer the funding, ensuring critical healthcare improvements could happen right here at home.

“At its core, Co-Mo exists to improve the quality of life for the region we serve,” said Corey ten Bensel, vice president of engagement and business services at Co-Mo Connect. “By supporting projects like this with Lake Regional Health System through the REDLG program, we’re helping ensure high-quality healthcare remains accessible locally and strengthening the communities our members call home.”

A major portion of the funding supported a complete remodel of Lake Regional’s inpatient pharmacy, including a new state-of-the-art clean room for preparing sterile intravenous medications such as chemotherapy. During a recent tour of the facility, representatives from Co-Mo Connect and USDA saw firsthand how these upgrades enhance both safety and efficiency for patients and healthcare professionals alike.

The improvements go far beyond the walls of the pharmacy. The new facility meets rigorous federal safety standards and allows Lake Regional to expand its capacity, meaning more patients can receive advanced treatments close to home. For families across mid-Missouri, that means fewer long drives, less disruption, and more time focused on healing.

In addition to the pharmacy remodel, REDLG funding helped Lake Regional invest in essential equipment across multiple departments, including diagnostic imaging, surgery, and emergency care. From advanced heart imaging technology to upgraded surgical tools and emergency stretchers, these investments strengthen Lake Regional’s ability to provide timely, life-saving care.

“These projects and equipment funded by this loan are essential for our teams to provide trauma care, cancer care, and care of hospitalized patients,” said Lake Regional CEO Kevin McRoberts. “Programs like REDLG help us access the capital needed for growth in the current healthcare environment.”

As a Level II Stroke Center, Level II STEMI (heart attack) Center, and Level III Trauma Center, Lake Regional plays a critical role in protecting the health of residents throughout the region. These upgrades ensure that role continues for years to come.

While Co-Mo Connect does not directly fund these projects, its role in facilitating the REDLG loan is essential. The cooperative’s Economic Development department played a critical role in bringing this opportunity to life, spearheading the effort and coordinating closely with USDA and Lake Regional Health System. Through this collaboration, Co-Mo Connect successfully utilized REDLG funding to support these vital healthcare upgrades. By connecting federal resources to local needs, the cooperative helps turn opportunities into meaningful, lasting benefits for the community.

This is what cooperative service looks like in action.

It’s about more than powering homes or connecting devices. It’s about strengthening the communities in Co-Mo Country. It’s about helping ensure neighbors, friends, and family members have access to the care they need when it matters most.

Through partnerships like this, Co-Mo Connect continues to fulfill its mission to help build a healthier, stronger future for the region it proudly serves.