A $2.36 million grant to a Kentucky medical center will fund new equipment to meet patient demand, the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration announced March 18.
Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced Pikeville Medical Center in Pikeville, Ky., will receive the grant, the news release said.
“President Biden’s American Rescue Plan offers direct relief to American communities as they work to build back better from the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic,” Raimondo said, according to the release. “The President and the Department of Commerce are especially focused on supporting coal-reliant communities expand into new industry sectors.”
The investment will create medical sector jobs and develop a stronger regional economy in the process, she said.
The investment comes from the American Rescue Plan’s $300 million Coal Communities Commitment, the release reported. This funding focuses on supporting communities that still rely on coal to expand into new industry sectors and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The project will provide the Pikeville Medical Center with a linear accelerator, which provides targeted radiation to fight cancer.
“This project is part of EDA’s Coal Communities Commitment and will provide support as the local economy transitions from the coal industry to new fields,” Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Castillo said. “It will also allow Pikeville Medical Center to continue providing critical cancer-related and health care services to its community while creating jobs and promoting economic health.”
