Putnam Hospital Center to Receive $750,000 to Develop New Cancer Center

ALBANY, NY (02/05/2008)(readMedia)-- Putnam Hospital Center (PHC) in Carmel will benefit from a $750,000 Community Development Block Grant through the New York State Office for Small Cities (OFSC). The funding, approved today by the Housing Trust Fund Corporation (HTFC) and the Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR), will be administered through Putnam County to help PHC develop a new cancer center and create 100 full-time jobs over three years. At least fifty-one percent of the jobs will be made available to low and moderate-income people.

DHCR Commissioner Deborah VanAmerongen said that the grant will help PHC meet the increasing demand for quality health care services in Putnam County. “As the only hospital in Putnam County and the county’s largest employer, PHC is an extremely important part the community and the local economy,” said VanAmerongen. “We are happy to have been able to approve the county’s request for this funding and assist PHC in delivering cutting-edge care and creating even more jobs with reasonable wages and benefits for area residents.”

Jeffrey Kellogg, Vice President of PHC, said “We are very grateful not only to New York State, but to County Executive Bob Bondi. This grant will make it possible for the hospital to acquire a state-of –the-art lineal accelerator for radiation therapy. People will no longer have to travel out o the county—they’ll be able to receive the best possible cancer care in local setting.”

Robert Bondi, Putnam County Executive, said "Putnam Hospital Center is a crucial part of our community. It serves the health care needs of the more than 100,000 county residents, as well as those in neighboring counties, and employs over 1,000 people. This grant will help the hospital expand and continue to meet the demand for top-notch health care in our area."

The cancer care center is part of the hospital’s multi-faceted expansion plan, which includes a five-story patient building, patient rooms, physician offices, a community conference center, and an additional 400 parking spaces.

Other OFSC projects approved today include $750,000 for the Beechnut Nutrition Corporation in Montgomery County, and $750,000 for Dynabill Industries in Greene County.

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