BELLVILLE EDC APPROVES $133,437 GRANT FOR BELLVILLE MEDICAL CENTER
The newly named Bellville Medical Center recently received a big boost from Bellville’s Economic Development Corporation (BEDC).
At its meeting last week, the BEDC approved a grant request from the Bellville Hospital Foundation for $133,347. The request was approved unanimously after a public hearing, which featured nothing but support for the grant.
The funding is reserved for signage and IT infrastructure. The total cost for signage is $77,357, while the cost for IT infrastructure is $55,780. The infrastructure costs are for new computers and software.
ERH Healthcare is now managing the hospital, formerly known as CHI St. Joseph’s Bellville. CHI St. Joseph ended its leasing agreement at the hospital at midnight on May 7th.
Bellville Hospital Board President Tony Causey said at last week’s meeting that local control is returning to the hospital with this move, as ERH has been successful in helping rural hospitals be both sustainable and profitable.
The grant measure now goes to city council for approval, who will vote on the item at its meeting Tuesday. The council will also canvass election results at the meeting, set for 5 p.m. at Bellville City Hall on 30 South Holland Street.
Although one might rightfully believe that the former managers have more experience, they may not be the best “model” for running a modest size facility. The new managers are a better model for rural facilities including Bellville. I personally believe this is a good more for the hospital and more importantly for the local community that the facility serves.
Has anyone checked out this healthcare management company? I have seen these companies come in to a community like Bellville with a lot of promise and little or no delivery. I do not reside in Austin County. Just seems strange to hire an out of state management company. Why did CHI pull out? They have way more experience than ERH.