The Executive Director of the Wabash Community Health Center updated the Wabash General Hospital Board of Directors last week on a potential multi-million dollar grant opportunity.
Cathy Ruth told board members the Illinois Capital Development Board has announced a 50-million-dollar grant program restricted to Federally Qualified Health Centers and FQHC lookalikes.
Ruth says each individual award is capped at three million dollars. She is currently working with Nate Stevenson to develop a high-level budget proposal ahead of the March 31st deadline.
Unlike some construction grants, Ruth says detailed architectural drawings are not required at this stage. The application only requires a general outline of space needs, projected equipment costs, and estimated expenses for rooms and facility improvements.
Board members clarified the funding can be used not only for new construction, but also for remodeling projects and additions to existing buildings.
As part of the application process, the health center must notify nearby FQHC providers, including Christopher Rural Health, of its intent to apply.
Ruth says the goal is to have the proposal ready for presentation to the health center board later this month. She called the opportunity exciting and said she hopes to have everything finalized before the March 31st submission deadline.