$750K grant OK'd for new Health Dept.

MIKE WEST
Courier Editor

The Tennessee Department of Health has been awarded a Health and Human Services Health Infrastructure Investment Program grant totaling $750,000 to build a new community health center in Cannon County.

"We are thrilled to receive this funding for the new building and appreciate the support of Cannon County Government in this endeavor," said Cannon County Health Director Andrea Fox.

Fox worked with the Upper Cumberland Regional Health Department management team and Cannon County Executive Mike Gannon to apply for this federal grant.

"Cannon County is pleased to be a part of this important project," said Gannon. "Our Cannon County Health Department/Community Health Center is an integral part of the local medical community, and with this funding the county will have the opportunity to improve access to care for all residents regardless of their ability to pay."

It's a 100 percent grant of $750,000 with no match required, Gannon replied.

"Actual plans are not complete yet. The engineers are working on them with the Department of Health right now," the county executive said.
"Hardly ever is this type of grant available," Gannon explained. "This could not have been achieved without the efforts of Andrea Fox, health director for Cannon, Warren and White counties. She was very instrumental."

The county will contribute land being purchased on Alexander Drive next to the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) building and Saint Thomas -- Stones River Medical Center. The new 5,000 square foot facility is expected to be completed in 2017.

The Health Department is currently housed at 301 W Main St in suite 200. The Cannon office complex is the former home of Good Samaritan Hospital, which was built in 1932-33.