By Brandi Watters, Herald Bulletin Staff Writer
ANDERSON — The county health center in Anderson is expanding, and according to its board chair, the expansion can’t come soon enough.
Rosetta Minnefield serves as the board chair of Madison County Community Health Centers and said the center is seeing a drastic increase in patients, particularly those who once worked for General Motors.
As GM cuts benefits for retirees, she said, many of them are seeking medical care at the county clinic, which provides care on a sliding fee based on income.
Coupled with increasing numbers of unemployed Hoosiers, the center is seeing its fair share of patients.
Last year, the health center group, which includes a center in Elwood, saw more than 20,000 patients. Many were return visits.
On Monday, the health center announced details regarding a $6 million expansion of its building on Ohio Avenue in Anderson.
The expansion is set to add 20,300 square feet to the existing 7,500-square-foot facility.
Anthony Malone, CEO of the health center, addressed a crowd at a news conference Monday and said the center aims to be debt-free upon project completion.
The project is funded, according to Malone, through various grants. The center has received a $3 million grant from the Indiana State Department of Health and another $3.3 million is anticipated from the federal stimulus. Capital funding drives account for $80,000 of the total cost, he said.
The new center will include a waiting area just for children along with both indoor and outdoor playgrounds and a community center capable of hosting 250 people will also be built within the facility.
Malone said the center’s staff of 32 is expected to triple as services are expanded.
The center will provide medical, dental, optical and behavioral care.
Upon completion, Malone noted, the center will include 25 exam rooms, 12 dental stations, two optical exam stations and six social services stations.
King said the project will be ready to bid in coming months and a handful of local contractors will be considered for the project.
Project manager Ariel Su said contractors must meet minimum requirements in order to qualify for the bid and many small companies would not be able to do so.
She assured that contractors will be instructed to use local sub-contractors for the project.
Madison County Commissioner Paul Wilson said the health center filled a void in the community when it opened 10 years ago. “The door was opened for anyone in need in the entire county.”
Mayor Kris Ockomon appeared at the news conference and commended the work of the health center. “It’s something that our community needs.”
Groundbreaking for the project is scheduled in October. The health center is expected to be completed by Aug. 1, 2010.
Contact Brandi Watters: 640-4847, brandi.watters @heraldbulletin.com
