Brunswick EMC helps Brunswick County expand healthcare services

Brunswick EMC provided a major assist to Dosher Memorial Hospital in its needed expansion of healthcare services to Brunswick County residents. The co-op secured $1 million in zero-interest USDA Rural Economic Development loans and grants (REDLG) to go toward the hospital's purchase of the Dosher Medical Plaza, located in Smithville Township, adjacent to Southport and Oak Island.

The plaza currently houses limited outpatient services, including diagnostic imaging, laboratory and medical offices, in 7,616 square feet of space. The two REDLG funds ($300,000 grant and $700,000 loan), when combined with the non-profit hospital's $1.34 million in reserve funds along with other project funds, gave the hospital the $2.4 million needed to purchase the remainder of the plaza's 14,524 square feet of space. The extra space can house four primary care physician practices and convenient access to hospital outpatient services. The project is expected to save six jobs at the facility and create nine new jobs.

The expanded medical services facility will also become an asset to the community in terms of recruiting new businesses to the area, with healthcare access crucial to bringing in economic investment.

According to Tom Siemers, president and CEO of Dosher Memorial Hospital, the purchase will allow the hospital to expand outpatient and clinic services. "Being able to purchase the Dosher Medical Plaza property will allow us to save a substantial amount of money in lease payments, as well as to broaden and enhance the services we will be able to provide the community to help meet the area's growing healthcare needs."

Robert Leavitt, Jr., CEO of Brunswick EMC, stated: "When there's an opportunity to partner with others to bring better services to our community, we are glad to use our access to USDA and Rural Economic Development funding to help out. Any time we can improve quality of life and create or save jobs, that's a win-win, and we thank Representative Mike McIntyre for his efforts in making this opportunity a reality."

The funding Brunswick EMC acquired from the USDA will continue to benefit the community, beyond the healthcare services expansion. The $300,000 zero-interest grant also serves as a revolving fund for Brunswick EMC. When repaid, the co-op can then loan these funds back into the community for other needed projects.