Community health centers receive funding

Twenty-seven community health centers in North Carolina will be receiving a combined total of $20 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

"With record number of North Carolinians out of work, our community health centers are more important than ever," Sen. Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) said. "Our hardworking families will benefit from this investment in our state's health care infrastructure."

The bill has awarded approximately $850 million through the Capital Improvement Program, which supports construction, renovation and equipment updates.

The funding will also aid centers to update health information technology systems that will allow them to begin using electronic medial records. Such records would streamline the health care process and create lower costs for consumers.

The Kinston Community Health Center was granted $532,415 and Greene County Health Care was awarded more than $1.2 million.

"Our project objectives are to improve patient flow, improve the efficiency of our existing services and convert unused space to addition exam room space to serve more people," Carla Pellerin, KCHC chief executive officer said. "I am looking forward to starting this new project in the early fall."

Sarah Campbell can be reached at (252) 559-1076 or scampbell@freedomenc.com.