| WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor and Representative Marion Berry (AR-01) today announced that White River Health System, Inc. will receive $1.5 million in funding toconstruct a new clinical space for Stone County Medical Center in Mountain View. In 2008, the hospital was devastated by an F4 tornado and two major floods in the region.
“These funds will help Stone County Medical Center rebuild and repair its facility after the damage caused by last year’s severe weather. I’m pleased to see our state receive this assistance, and I’ll continue to do all I can to ensure that Arkansans receive the highest quality of health care,” said Lincoln.
“Mountain View has experienced more than it’s fair share of natural disasters lately,” said Pryor. “Restoring critical health services and creating new jobs is great news for Stone County residents.”
"The Stone County Medical Center sustained heavy damages from these disasters and this funding will do a lot to help the facility recover and more forward," said Berry. "Most importantly, with this new clinical space, the facility will be able to restore the critical medical services they have been unable to provide since the disasters."
In addition, officials from the White River Health System and Stone County Medical Center responded with the following reactions:
“Stone County Medical Center continues to meet the challenges of the F4 tornado that destroyed 60% of the hospital during February 2008,” says Gary Bebow, White River Health SystemAdministrator/CEO. “We are grateful to the Arkansas Congressional Delegation and their support for funding that will restore the hospital’s ability to provide residents the quality healthcare they need close to home.”
“We are very thankful for the opportunity this grant will allow Stone County Medical Center to provide new and expanded outpatient services for Stone County residents,” Says Renie Taylor, Stone County Medical Center’s Administrator/COO.
The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Association (EDA) serves as a venture capital resource to meet the economic development needs of distressed communities throughout the United States. The EDA's mission is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy.
|
