.png)
CHEWELAH — NEW Health has received $5.05 million in funding for the development of the Regional Workforce Development Center and expanded healthcare services in Chewelah.
The center will enhance healthcare access, address workforce shortages and create “essential” careers in rural Northeast Washington, according to a NEW Health news release.
To be included in the center are medical exam rooms, behavioral health rooms, dental operatories, an in-house pharmacy, an administrative office space, workforce training facilities, classrooms and clinical training simulation rooms.
By adding behavioral health, dental and workforce development services, the center is expanding the current medical clinic and pharmacy. This initiative will create 59 full-time positions and 110 direct full-time clinical and non-clinical positions, as well as over 300 positions for the construction phase.
According to the news release, this project is “vital” for the tri-county region, which faces challenges such as high poverty, high unemployment, low college enrollment and low graduation rates compared to state averages. The region’s suicide rate is also more than double the state average.
The Washington State Capital Budget has allocated $5 million in bond dollars to support reinvestment efforts in NEW Health’s communities. New Health has offices in Newport and Ione.
