Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Health Facility topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bay County opens consolidated health department; county says federal funds paid renovation, MDHHS will lease part of building
Summary
Bay County marked the opening of a renovated health department facility on Wilder Road funded with American Rescue Plan Act and federal community project dollars. County leaders said the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will lease about 40% of the building under a roughly 20-year agreement.
Bay County officials and community partners held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of the Bay County Health Department's new facility on Wilder Road.
"We couldn't be more proud of the partnership that we have with Bay County," Megan Sammon, president and CEO of the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, said as she opened the event and presented a certificate of recognition to county leaders.
County Executive Jim Barsha told attendees the project repurposed and renovated an existing building using federal dollars. "In the true spirit of the American Rescue Plan Act and federal community project funding, Bay County was able to repurpose and renovate this building entirely with federal dollars," he said, and announced that the county has partnered with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to lease about 40% of the building for the next 20 years, with MDHHS expected to move in by the end of the year.
Health Officer Joel Strauss said the facility centralizes services that were previously spread across multiple locations. "We have officially opened the doors to the Bay County Health Department's new modern home here on Wilder Road," Strauss said, adding that residents will be able to obtain immunizations, health screenings, environmental permits or apply for assistance in a single visit. He also said the site will host health-education programs such as diabetes and breastfeeding classes and provide updated clinical rooms intended to improve care and emergency response capacity.
Officials emphasized fiscal restraint in choosing to renovate rather than build new. County and project leaders thanked contractors, architects and county staff for their roles in the renovation. Names mentioned during remarks included Kristen Geniac (director of recreation and facilities), John Morris and DJ Ross (buildings and grounds leadership), WTA Architects and McMillan Associates, and Serenus Johnson Construction.
Speakers acknowledged elected officials and county staff in attendance. The ceremony concluded with a countdown and the ceremonial ribbon cutting.
County leaders said the lease with MDHHS covers roughly 40% of the building and runs about 20 years; officials described the construction as funded with American Rescue Plan Act and federal community project funds. The county did not provide vote records, contract documents or a detailed funding breakdown at the ceremony; those specifics were described only in general terms during remarks.
