Group gets $82,500 for assisted living plan

Community Assisted Living Corp. will receive $82,500 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program to help jump-start its plan to developing an assisted-living facility in Jefferson County.

Donald C. Alexander, the group's president, said the corporation must provide $10,000 in matching funds. The money will be spent on hiring a programmatic consultant, financial consultant and attorney.

Mr. Alexander said the money will help the group "find out the best course of action to developing a program to fit the needs of the elderly."

The group applied for the USDA grant earlier this year because it is trying to make headway on developing an assisted-living facility. It received approval in June 2008 for 40 assisted-living beds from the state Department of Health.

"There's two real issues we need to address, in my opinion; one is the programmatic approach it'll take to getting this facility and related activities done," Mr. Alexander said. "The second aspect is, can we sustain whatever we believe is the proper course of action?"

Mr. Alexander said the situation has become complicated because the group has "gotten wrapped up in Whispering Pines and the future of it, and just the concerns of other health-care providers in the north country."