Near the intersection of County Highways B and K in Sawyer County, WI, a gleaming new facility is rapidly taking shape, representing a $48.7 million investment in the future that will drastically improve access to quality health care in the rural community (population: 18,074). Being developed by the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians (LCO), the new, 64,421 sq. ft. tribal health center will replace two aging facilities elsewhere on the LCO Reservation and enable comprehensive, culturally appropriate health and wellness services to be provided in one state-of-the-art location.
Having long struggled to keep pace with the demand for health services in outdated, cramped facilities no longer equipped to fully support the health center’s mission, the positive impact of the new facility will be both immediate and multifaceted. With the ability to accommodate more than 77,400 annual patient visits, LCO’s nearly 7,300 tribal members will no longer have to wait months on end – or longer – for health services, nor will they have to travel long distances to access care and treatment.
In addition to making high-quality health care more accessible to more people, the new facility will enhance the LCO Health Center’s ability to provide routine, day-to-day medical care, as well as more specialized services for older adults, those with diabetes, and individuals working to overcome substance use disorder – all of which have been identified by the health center as particularly acute local needs.
Financing for the project was provided by two NMTC investors, five CDEs and five source lenders. US Bank and LISC served as NMTC investors. NMTC allocations were provided by FCI, IFF, US Bank, LISC, and Impact Seven. Native American Bank and Bay Bank participated as senior lenders; and loan participants included Oweesta, Wisconsin Native Loan Fund, First American Capital Corp and IFF. Four of those are American Indian CDFIs.
Beyond expanding the health center’s capacity, LCO’s new facility will streamline the health center’s operations to improve the patient experience and increase connectivity between the services offered on-site.