New health facility in South Providence

PROVIDENCE, RI (WPRI) - Congressman Langevin congratulates Providence Community Health Center as groundbreaking draws near.

The congressman was in the city as the South Providence health service provider broke announces a new $42 million complex on Prairie Avenue.

Congressman Langevin worked in the House to obtain 400,000 dollar in federal resources for the project.

“I would like to express my special appreciation to President Merrill Thomas, who has shown great vision and leadership in all of the Centers’ endeavors,” said Langevin. “Our health centers are on the front lines of health care delivery, providing comprehensive primary care and preventive health services to over 118,000 uninsured and underserved families throughout our state. They have become a national model of care coordination, and are an important component of the recently enacted health reform law.”

The new organization will include a new 41,100 square-foot health center, over 50,000 square- feet of office space and a 5,000 square-foot retail building.

Government funding and tax-exempt bond financing PCHC will break ground next month, with completion set for early spring 2012.

“I am proud to support this project and an organization that provides a proven and phenomenal return on investments,” said Langevin. “Providence Community Health Centers not only offer important services, but also have a tremendous benefit on our economy by ensuring a healthier workforce that requires less emergency medical care, creating jobs at the facilities themselves and invigorating the neighborhoods they serve.”