MACHIAS, Maine — Down East Community Hospital kicked off a $1.5 million capital campaign Friday by announcing a $250,000 donation from Machias Savings Bank.
The hospital will use the funds, along with a $4 million federal loan, to expand the six-bed emergency room to nine beds with trauma and psychiatric rooms. The project will triple the size of the emergency room to 7,350 square feet.
Hospital CEO Dennis Welsh called the $250,000 donation a “huge motivator” that will encourage others to contribute.
“It validates the project,” he said after a short ceremony Friday at the hospital. “I know this is going to be a very successful project.”
“I would like to express my gratitude to Machias Savings Bank for this very generous donation,” David Whitney, chairman of the hospital board, told an audience of about 30 people. “The show of support adds more credibility to the belief in the project and it gives us a spring of energy as we go out and share this challenge with others.”
“At the end of the day, making a difference in the community is our reason to exist,” said Larry Barker, president and CEO of Machias Savings Bank.
He called the hospital a “tremendous asset” and said the emergency room expansion is a “great project” for the community.
Welsh said that although no construction date has been established, officials hope to begin this spring.
“We want to get it started as soon as possible because the weather conditions in Maine can be difficult,” he said.
The existing hospital emergency department was built in 1964 with various design updates throughout the years. As the only hospital in a 60-mile radius of Machias, Down East Community Hospital annually treats 9,000 patients in its emergency room, significantly above the capacity it was designed to handle, according to the hospital.