County Donating Half Million in Grant Funds to Hospital

Fayette County Commissioners voted unanimously to contribute $500,000 in federal grant funds to the capital improvement campaign at St. Mark’s Medical Center in La Grange.

The money came from the American Rescue Plan, the $1.9 trillion stimulus package signed into law by President Joe Biden in March. Part of that bill provided funds for public health infrastructure.

“This is a good cause,” said Angela Hahn, grant specialist for the county. “This is what the money is for and we have to spend it. It made good sense.”

“This was money given to us by the federal government, it is not local tax dollars,” said Pct. 1 Commissioner Jason McBroom. “This is money we have to spend on certain projects. They happen to be eligible. I think it’s a great thing to help the hospital out. The community needs a hospital and this is a good way to show our support.”

“I feel a little bit like this is Christmas morning,” said St. Mark’s CEO Mark Kimball. “This is a big gift, a big donation to the hospital. We recognize that. It shows you have confidence in our hospital. As you said, we need a hospital in this community. Hospitals are vital when it comes to health, wellbeing and economic development of our area. Thank you so much for that.”

Kimball said the hospital would “prioritize projects so that we can maximize this gift for the benefit of the citizens of Fayette County.”

Kimball said he would provide the county with reporting about how the hospital is using the money.

“The hospital is 16 years old now and it’s starting to age,” Kimball said. “We spent a little over $2 million in capital improvement projects.”

He said the hospital’s capital improvement project involves upgrades to patient monitors, environmental controls, communications, sterilization and more.

“I think this is a great thing to support,” said Pct. 4 Commissioner Drew Brossmann. “(The hospital) is something everyone in the community uses at one point or another, whether you want to or not.”