WASHINGTON, DC| by Staff Report| May 22, 2019
Original article can be found at: https://www.daily-jeff.com
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Plans of the Muskingum Valley Health Center to build a new facility in Guernsey County received a boost earlier this month when U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown announced that MVHC will receive an $18 million loan.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development loan will help fund construction of a 49,000 square-foot facility, according to a news release issued by Senator Brown’s office.
“Community health centers, like MVHC, play a critical role in keeping our families healthy,” Brown said. “This investment will help MVHC ensure rural Ohioans In Guernsey County and the surrounding area have access to quality care that is close to home.”
The new facility will be built at the Clark Street location in Cambridge, where MVHC is serving the community in temporary, modular buildings.
The new facility will replace the leased space and will enable MVHC to offer dental and vision services in addition to the medical services it currently provides. Those services include, among others, adult primary care; infant, children and adolescent care; and behavioral health care.
MVHC officials have said that the new facility is not intended to compete with Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center. Rather, it offers services that help keep people out of the emergency room.
MVHC is a 501c3 nonprofit organization with a board consisting of local people.
Brown said the funds awarded to MVHC are part of the USDA’s Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant program. It is designed to help rural small towns, cities and communities make infrastructure improvements and provide essential facilities. Those facilities include schools, libraries, courthouses, public safety facilities, hospitals, colleges and daycare centers.
Brown is the first Ohioan in more than 50 years to serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee.
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