Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2 Million to Support Medical Center Expansion in Ashland, Kentucky

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2 million grant to the Ashland Hospital Corporation, Ashland, Kentucky, to purchase upgraded equipment and support expansion efforts. This EDA grant, to be matched with $500,000 in local investment, is expected to create 250 jobs and generate $1 million in private investment.

“The Biden Administration is committed to ensuring that our communities are provided with the resources they need to diversify and grow their economies,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This EDA investment in King’s Daughters Medical Center will create hundreds of jobs in the healthcare sector and will allow it to better meet the healthcare needs of its community.”

“With the recent closure of Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital, King’s Daughters Medical Center has seen a dramatic increase in patient load,” said Dennis Alvord, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “This EDA project will support the Center’s expansion efforts through the purchase of necessary scanning, diagnostic and disinfecting equipment, enabling them to better serve the community.”

“We’re grateful for the EDA’s investment in King’s Daughters Medical Center because it will strengthen the health care system in Eastern Kentucky,” said Governor Andy Beshear. “In addition to supporting health care, which I believe is a basic human right, these funds will create more high-quality jobs in the region as our economy heats up statewide. Investing in King’s Daughters means investing in our people’s future as we build a healthier, better Kentucky with more opportunities for all.”

“Kentucky’s healthcare heroes have courageously protected their communities every day throughout the COVID pandemic,” said Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. “I’ve been proud to support the professionals at King’s Daughters as they continue to keep Northeastern Kentucky healthy and to create good new jobs. Last year, I had the opportunity to visit King’s Daughters and personally thank the entire team. They continue working around the clock to provide every patient with top-notch care, and I look forward to their expansion to serve even more Kentucky families.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the FIVCO Area Development District, which EDA funds to bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.

This project is funded under the Assistance to Coal Communities (ACC) program, through which EDA awards funds on a competitive basis to assist communities severely impacted by the declining use of coal through activities and programs that support economic diversification, job creation, capital investment, workforce development, and re-employment opportunities.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.