Project Impacts:
121 direct FTE construction jobs (80% are anticipated to be filled by residents of the local low-income community)
Medical surgery and orthopedic health services to 23,000 individuals annually
Post construction, ALH will be creating at least 160 permanent jobs (with 42% of these accessible to individuals without post-high school education)
PARTNERS
NCIF: $6 million NMTC allocation; $1.5 million loan
CDFI Partner: United Bank of Alabama
Large Bank: Wells Fargo
NCIF provided $6 million in New Market Tax Credit allocation and $1.5 million of debt to finance construction of the Athens Limestone Surgery Center. Athens Limestone Hospital (ALH), the primary tenant, is a not-for-profit community medical facility that provides primary and surgical services to Limestone County and surrounding areas. The newly constructed 75,000 square foot facility will include a surgery center, an orthopedic medical practice, imaging lab, and medical offices for approximately six physicians' practices.
Athens residents currently have limited access to primary care physician services with the exception of an urgent care facility located at the ALH main campus. The ALH main campus is also the only facility in the county for surgeries. The project will improve access to primary care and will expand surgical services in the area due to capacity being reached at ALH's current facility.
United Bank of Alabama: United Bank of Alabama, located in Atmore, Alabama, is a CDFI bank and long-time partner of NCIF. They are playing a significant role in the project as both a lender and providing NMTC allocation.