(KLZA)--A groundbreaking ceremony is set Tuesday to mark the start of construction on a long planned assisted living facility in Pawnee City.

According to a press release issued by Pawnee City Assisted Living Chair John DeFreece, the ceremony will begin at 1:00 at the site of the future facility, to be constructed on 12th Street, between C and D Streets in Pawnee City.

DeFreece calls the project a “focus of many civic organizations including the Pawnee City Development Corporation, the Pawnee City Foundation, the Pawnee City Promotional Network as well as the Pawnee City Council and the Assisted Living Board.”

Construction of the building is planned to begin in December, financed with a loan from USDA. Occupancy of the facility is set to begin in early 2018.

Initial operation of the assisted living facility will be funded through community donations, with the fundraising effort continuing, despite the initial cash requirements of the USDA having been met.

The facility will feature 22 apartments. Residents will be offered support services based on their needs.

Chamber of Commerce president, Dan Lovercheck, calls the facility a “fantastic resource” that will “bridge the gap between independent living and nursing home care allowing residents to stay in Pawnee City when they can no longer live at home alone.” Pawnee City Mayor, Charles Hatfield, noting that the project has been in the works for more than 5-years, commends the volunteers, civic-minded citizens, and the Pawnee City City Council for working to make the project a reality

Refreshments will be served in the Community Room of the Pawnee Village immediately following the ceremony Tuesday.