Perdue, Bev. Press Release, 2012-05-07, Gov. Perdue Recommends 5 Western NC Projects to Improve Access to Health Care

Beverly Eaves Perdue Governor State of North Carolina Office of the Governor 20301 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-0301 May 7, 2012 Contact: Chris Mackey Office: (919) 733-5612 Gov. Perdue Recommends 5 Western NC Projects to Improve Access to Health Care Rural Hope Grants to Spur Economic Development RALEIGH - Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that five projects in Western North Carolina have been recommended to receive $449,564 in Appalachian Regional Commission funding for Rural Hope, a rural health care initiative designed to enable better health care delivery and job creation by assisting in the construction and expansion of rural health care facilities. The projects will provide more than 5,500 individuals with access to higher quality health care services and spur economic development in several counties throughout Western North Carolina. "Hospitals and health care facilities are the lifeblood for many of our rural regions," said Gov. Perdue. "Making these investments is vital to the health of our people and the economic well¬ being of these rural communities." Rural Hope, an initiative launched by Gov. Perdue, is a partnership between the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center, the Golden LEAF Foundation, USDA-Rural Development and the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). Priority for Rural Hope was given to small towns with a population of less than 5,000 and unincorporated areas. Eligible health care facilities included: hospitals, urgent care centers, physician offices, hospice care, aging centers, mental health providers, physical therapy providers, free clinics, rural and community health centers, dental care, vision care and safety net providers. Project proposals were reviewed by the North Carolina ARC office and project partners to ensure they were consistent with ARC’S goals. The Commission will make the final decision whether each project receives funding. Created by Congress in 1965, the Appalachian Regional Commission is a federal-state partnership that works with the 420 Appalachian counties and county-equivalents in 13 states to