MONTGOMERY— Gov. Kay Ivey has announced an additional $150,000 grant to construct a new medical clinic in the city of Wetumpka and improve health-care services for residents in Elmore County.
Funds awarded to the Elmore County Commission from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) will provide infrastructure improvements for River Region Medical Center, a 32,000-square-foot complex that is being constructed off U.S. 231. The governor in June awarded a $150,000 Community Development Block Grant for the project.
“This medical facility will provide improved health care and convenience for residents in Elmore County,” Gov. Ivey said. “I am pleased that Alabama’s strong partnership with the ARC makes this grant possible to support development of this medical center.”
ARC funds will help provide water and sewer services for the facility in addition to drainage improvements and road access. The city of Wetumpka and the Wetumpka Water Works Board are providing nearly $60,000 in combined matching funds for the project.
The facility will have 50 exam rooms, a physical therapy suite and a pharmacy. Offices for 15 physicians will be housed at the center. About 50 new jobs will be created when the nearly $8 million project is completed.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs manages the ARC program in Alabama.
“Gov. Ivey understands how important it is for Alabamians to have access to medical services outside major cities,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to partner with Gov. Ivey, the Elmore County Commission and ARC to make this project a reality.”
ARC is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments. The agency’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation. Thirty-seven Alabama counties, including Elmore County, are part of the ARC region and eligible for funds.
ADECA administers an array of programs supporting law enforcement and traffic safety, economic development, energy conservation, water resource management and recreation development.
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