The Town of Paxton has completed construction of a new permanent health clinic, giving residents in the northernmost part of Walton County access to modern healthcare facilities close to home for the first time in years.
The project was made possible by a $679,500 grant from USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities Programs. U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Florida State Director MaryAnn Pistilli celebrated the clinic’s completion. “This investment ensures the Town of Paxton gains a modern, permanent healthcare facility designed to better serve residents and strengthen community resilience,” Pistilli said. “It reaffirms our commitment to expanding access to essential health services in rural Florida.”
Pistilli added that the project reflects a broader USDA priority under Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to keep rural communities at the center of the nation’s healthcare infrastructure.
Before the new facility was built, Paxton’s only access to healthcare came from a small portable building at 21505 US Highway 331 North, which housed a local branch of the Florida Department of Health. Residents needing services beyond what the portable unit could offer had to travel at least 25 miles to DeFuniak Springs.
The new clinic replaces that stopgap arrangement with a permanent building equipped with updated, modern medical equipment and enough space to expand the range of services offered locally.
The USDA grant was combined with local contributions to complete the project:
$679,500: USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Programs grant
$460,000: Cash contribution from Walton County Board of County Commissioners
$96,069: Contribution from the Town of Paxton
$78,046: In-kind assistance from Walton County Board of County Commissioners
The total project cost came to $1,313,615.
USDA’s Community Facilities Program provides direct loans, loan guarantees, and grants for public service buildings that improve quality of life in rural communities. The program funds projects for public bodies, non-profit organizations, and federally recognized American Indian Tribes, supporting facilities such as fire and rescue stations, health care and rehabilitation centers, adult and childcare centers, assisted living facilities, town halls, schools, and libraries.
