Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center (VGMHC) is a federally qualified health center with 12 primary care clinics and five school-based locations that provide medical, dental, vision, pharmacy, behavioral health and wellness programs to residents of Yamhill and Washington counties in Oregon. VGMHC has a particular focus on people who may face barriers to care, including migrant/seasonal farmworkers.

Most of VGMHC’s patients come from households with low incomes, often without insurance. With some 60 languages spoken at the clinics, half of patients are best served in a language other than English. VGMHC also offers mobile clinics to help maximize its reach across communities in the region. It provides services regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.

VGMHC is expanding its existing clinic in Newburg, Ore., to serve more people. Renamed the Newburg Wellness Center, the new facility will have double its existing space, with a nearly 8,800 square foot addition being built and expanded parking. The project will also renovate and upgrade its existing two-story structure, including adding an elevator so patients can better access the second floor.

The $23.7 million project is being planned with sustainability in mind, including solar panels to reduce energy costs as well as high-efficiency HVAC, increased insulation and low-flow plumbing. To improve indoor air quality, VGMHC is using building materials that reduce or eliminate harmful gases and is installing an air filtration system—which is important not only for reducing the spread of airborne diseases but also to reduce the impact of smoke from wildfires, especially on chronically ill patients.

Without the low-cost capital made possible by the federal New Markets Tax Credit program, this project could not afford to move forward. Broadstreet is supporting the project with nearly $6.6 million in NMTC equity from its Equitable Health Fund, as well as a $400,000 Social Determinants of Health grant.

That funding will help the Newburg Wellness Center support nearly 11,000 primary care visits, more than 6,900 dental visits and 1,740 behavioral health visits—increasing the number of patients seen by nearly 46 percent over the clinic’s previous capacity.

The project is also creating 45 construction jobs and 19 new permanent jobs, and it will help VGMHC retain 35 jobs in a census tract where poverty tops 39 percent. Permanent workers will earn a living wage with benefits.