Community project funding/congressionally directed spending - construction - the williams county health department (wchd) strives to "prevent disease and injury, promote health and wellness, and…

Community project funding/congressionally directed spending - construction - the williams county health department (wchd) strives to "prevent disease and injury, promote health and wellness, and protect the community". The wchd is a combined health district serving approximately 37,000 residents in NW, OH. Currently, the health department provides services out of two buildings: the montpelier main office and the city of bryan satellite office. The wchd is requesting $641,000.00 in hrsa funds to help pay for schematic design development, all required permitting/construction documents, and construction observation for a new 7,000 SQ. FT. Health department building. The total project cost estimate is $2,109,400.00. The department is pursuing a loan from the united states department of agriculture for the remainder of the construction of the building project. At the time of this application, the department is also seeking to secure additional funding sources to lower the amount of loan needed to complete the project. Independent of other funds secured wchd has funds to cover any loans needed to complete the project in the proposed timeline. Upon completion of construction, the two existing buildings will be closed and the wchd will solely own and operate out of this building. The proposed building will be located on 2.5 acres on the northern edge of the city of bryan, OH. This land is currently owned by the community hospitals and wellness center which has agreed to sell IT. Once the wchd is awarded hrsa funds, the department will purchase the property directly with their funds. The wchd needs this new building because the existing buildings do not meet the needs of the public and staff. The existing facilities are not handicap accessible and limit the departments' ability to reach all public citizens in need of treatment. Nursing mothers also have no space adequate space. In addition, both buildings are too small. Currently, there is a need for additional healthcare services. Unfortunately, the wchd cannot offer the SE services because there is no additional space in the existing buildings to offer new services. The proposed building will address all of these barriers to ensure that wchd can serve all citizens in need of healthcare services. The proposed building resolves the health department's problems in multiple ways. The plans will include additional space for two handicap-accessible clinic areas and provide adequate space for private consultation for individuals seeking services. IT will also include easy access to ADA-compliant restrooms, hallways, doors, and conference rooms. The project will also ensure that proper space will be provided for nursing mothers and will help the department retain staff. Lastly, with expanded space, there will be adequate room to increase services by creating additional office space for staff and their patients. The wchd is confident that the design and construction of the proposed building will provide them with a greater opportunity to prevent disease and injury, promote health and wellness, and protect the community.