McCOOK, Neb. — A ribbon cutting and grand opening in celebration of the completion of Phase 1 for the Community Hospital Association was held on January 9 in McCook. Participating in the ceremonies was United States Senator Ben Nelson, Brian Esch, chairman of Community Hospital Board of Directors and Jim Ulrich, Community Hospital President and CEO.
A large crowd of nearly 300 people included Community Hospital Association staff, medical staff, board members and community residents in McCook and the hospital’s service area.
“When industry and business consider location, health services are often one of the most important quality of life factors that influence their choice. This investment in McCook, which includes 17 million dollars in low interest loans from Recovery Act funds, means much needed physical expansion of the Community Hospital while ensuring healthy citizens and a healthy community far into the future,” said Nelson.
“With the completion of Phase 1 and the future completion of Phase 2 of our Facility Master Plan, we will further enhance our ability to provide quality, efficient and patient-centered care now and well into the future. Over the years we have been blessed with a wonderful working relationship with USDA Rural Development. Through this relationship, in essence a partnership in healthcare, we have received financing for various building projects that has enabled our organization to live by our motto: ‘Advanced Care, Always There’,” said Ulrich.
Funding for Phases 1 and 2 of the project is provided through a $17 million Rural Development loan, funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Additionally, a $15 million Rural Development community facility guaranteed loan was financed through Thayer County Bank of Hebron, Neb., representing a group of Independent Community Banks in Nebraska,
