02/06/2026
DECH and CCH are Included in the Congressionally Directed Spending for FY2026
Down East Community Hospital and Calais Community Hospital are excited to announce that we have received confirmation that requests we submitted last year for CDS funds were approved and are included in the Congressionally Directed Spending for FY2026. This means we will be receiving $4.99 million to renovate and expand the RHC at CCH and $2.2 million towards the construction of six modular town houses near DECH. We can expect to receive the funds by Fall 2026.
The RHC
Expanding our RHC is crucial for meeting the healthcare needs of eastern Washington County. With limited access to medical care, increasing the number of physicians and nurse practitioners is essential. The current size constraints of the clinic hinder our ability to grow and serve more patients effectively. By expanding our facility, we can enhance our services and provide better healthcare options for the community members in need.
We will renovate and increase the size of the RHC by 4,500 sq ft, which will allow for space for 3 additional providers. The expansion will improve ADA accommodations for patients and will provide better patient flows.
We are hoping to break ground with the expansion and begin the renovation process in the Spring of 2027 and have it completed by Spring 2028 or earlier.
The Town Houses
The addition of six modular town houses will provide the access to housing we need to enable us to continue to recruit necessary medical professionals to our service area. The town houses will be used as short-term housing for medical professionals who want to come to the area and work at Down East Community Hospital.
Housing impediments to recruitment will be tempered, and the hospital will be able to alleviate holes in coverage and improve access for urgent/emergent care, and we will be able to greatly reduce the cost on rentals and traveling staff. This also means we will have more funds to invest back into the hospital.
The town houses will be located on hospital owned property; the exact location is to be determined. We plan to start that project in the Spring of 2027 and have it completed sometime in late 2027.
Both projects will improve our ability to recruit and retain medical professionals. The RHC project will also greatly improve access to care for the community and greatly improve the working environment for our staff.
These are exciting times and we are profoundly grateful to Senator Collins for her strong support of both projects and for Senator King who also supported the RHC project.
