(Schenectady, NY) Schenectady County Legislature Chairwoman Susan Savage today announced that Hometown Health Center will receive a $2.5 million grant from the New York State Department of Health.
“Our thanks go to Governor Paterson and Health Commissioner Dr. Richard Daines for their help in securing this grant funding,” said Chairwoman Savage. “Hometown Health plays a major role in providing health care to nearly 20,000 Schenectady County residents each year. We fought hard for this funding as it will play a major role in securing the future of this important health care facility.”
Hometown Health is a Federally Qualified Community Health Center (FQHC). Founded in 1970, the Center provides high-quality primary care services, comprehensive dental care and behavioral health services to thousands of Schenectady County residents each year. As a FQHC, Hometown Health focuses on providing primary medical and dental care to underserved populations.
With assistance from federal loans and grants and a $1.5 million loan from the Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority, Hometown Health Center invested over $5 million to build a new 32,000 square foot health care clinic at 1044 State Street, which opened in 2005.
The new $2.5 million grant announced today will be utilized to pay-off loans that were taken out to fund the construction of the new facility on State Street and modernize medical records at the health center. By reducing the Center’s long–term debt from $4 million to $1.5 million, the new grant funding will greatly improve the finances of the Center, which employs over 80 staff and is key to Schenectady’s health care system.
Joseph Gambino, CEO of Hometown Health said, “We are truly grateful to Schenectady County and the NYS Department of Health. This $2.5 million grant will erase years of long-term debt, greatly improve our cash flow, and strengthen Hometown’s future and its ability to care for children and families in Schenectady for generations to come.”
The $2.5 million will be paid out to lenders including the Metroplex Development Authority. Metroplex will use the proceeds to invest in other projects in Schenectady County.
The grant is provided under the Health Care Efficiency and Affordability Law (HEAL). HEAL grants utilize federal funding to build a stronger and more cost efficient health care delivery system.
For more information, see www.hometownhealthcenters.org.