Tri-County Electric Membership Cooperative was selected to receive a $996,000 loan that will be used to help construct a health clinic in Tompkinsville in Monroe county, that will be leased to Cumberland Family Medical Center. This loan was a part of several grants and loans announced by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, designed to help spur economic development and create or save jobs in rural communities in seven Midwestern and Southern states.

According to the press release from USDA Office of Communications, the funds are designed to ensure that rural communities attract the investments they need to support business development.

USDA Rural Development is providing support through the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program (REDLG), which provides zero-interest loans to local utilities that they, in turn, pass through to local businesses for projects to create and retain employment in rural areas.

For example, the clinic constructed in Tompkinsville is expected to create approximately 65 jobs.

In October, Dr. Eric Loy, CEO/Medical Director for Cumberland Family Medical Center, Inc., spoke to the Monroe County Community Leadership group and told of the clinic, which will be constructed on Edmonton Road.

Dr. Loy stated that Cumberland Family Medical has contracted with Dr. Jack Anderson, a Monroe native, who will be completing his residency in July 2013, and said their plan to open their rural health clinic is at that time.

The clinic will provide primary care, behavioral health care, preventive dental care, lab and x-ray services, a discount pharmacy program, services to schools and other services. They also have a mobile medical unit.

Dr. Loy also announced last week that Dr. Anthony Carter’s practice in Tompkinsville will be a part of Cumberland Family Medical.

Cumberland Family Medical is already serving 11 counties in this area, including Clinton, Cumberland and Adair, he told the group. They will be targeting those who are medically un-insured, under-insured or live at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, but their services will be open to all. They will offer a sliding fee discount based on the patient’s income and family size. The goal, he said, is improved, affordable access to medical care.