Sussex County commissioners on Aug. 20 celebrated the arrival of a new mobile health clinic paid for with American Rescue Plan Act funds and approved a letter of support for Sussex County Community College's application to renovate the Horton Mansion into classroom space.

The Office of Public Health Nursing will operate the mobile clinic, which county officials said is intended to expand access to vaccinations, screenings and other public‑health services across the county’s large rural area. County staff said they expect the vehicle to begin operations this fall.

Separately, Sussex County Community College requested a county letter of support for a Higher Education Facilities Trust (HEF) grant to renovate the Horton Mansion for classroom use. The college requested $3,385,000 with no local match required; the grant application window opens Sept. 9 and closes approximately Sept. 20. Commissioners voted to provide the requested letter and directed staff to draft a resolution to formalize support.

Why it matters: County officials said the mobile clinic and the potential Horton Mansion renovation aim to remove transportation and capacity barriers to health care and higher education. Officials noted the mobile unit will provide vaccines, child health clinics and other public‑health services free to uninsured residents.

Ending: County staff said operational details for the mobile clinic will be announced in coming weeks and the board will transmit a formal letter in support of the college's grant application before the funder's deadline.