Mountain Community Health Partnership (MCHP) has been awarded a $300,000 Rural Health Care Construction Grant from the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) to support the construction of a new 20,000-square-foot community health clinic in Spruce Pine.
Governor Josh Stein announced the grant as part of a statewide investment of more than $9.8 million in rural communities, designed to attract 269 new jobs and generate more than $179 million in private investment across North Carolina. The funding to MCHP was one of 21 grants awarded to strengthen infrastructure and expand access to essential services in rural counties.
The new Spruce Pine clinic will significantly increase access to affordable, high-quality medical and behavioral healthcare in Mitchell County and surrounding areas. It will allow for an expansion of services and increased patient capacity. With this project, the organization expects to create 24 jobs while investing over $15,000,000.
The project represents a major step forward in MCHP’s mission to provide comprehensive, compassionate care to all residents—regardless of income or insurance status.
MCHP expresses deep appreciation to the Mitchell County Board of Commissioners and County Manager Allen Cook for applying for the funds on MCHP’s behalf, and to the Mitchell County Economic Development Commission (EDC) for preparing and submitting the successful grant application.
“We are so grateful to the County Commissioners, County Manager, and EDC for their partnership and advocacy,” said Tim Evans, CEO of MCHP, “This grant helps make our new Spruce Pine clinic possible and will bring expanded healthcare options to local families—keeping care close to home for the people of our communities.”
“The Mitchell County Economic Development Commission is pleased to have participated in the application process. The outcome of our request is exactly what we had hoped for this project,” said Mitchell County Economic Development Commission Executive Director Bill Slagle.
Mountain Community Health Partnership currently operates health centers in Bakersville, Burnsville, Celo, and Spruce Pine, as well as a dental clinic in Bakersville, providing integrated primary and behavioral healthcare for the Toe River region. The new Spruce Pine facility will expand MCHP’s footprint in Mitchell County and ensure continuity of care for more patients. All other locations in Bakersville, Burnsville, and Celo, and the Bakersville Dental Clinic will also remain open after completion of the new Spruce Pine clinic in the fall of 2026.
About Mountain Community Health Partnership:
Since 1947, Mountain Community Health Partnership (MCHP) has been dedicated to providing compassionate, community-based rural health care. With four integrated primary care locations, two school health centers, and a dental center in communities in Mitchell and Yancey Counties, MCHP offers comprehensive services to meet the needs of the community, regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.
Contact Information:
Jamie L. McMahan, Chief Strategy Officer, Mountain Community Health Partnership
Website: www.mchp.care
Phone: (828) 688-2104
Appointments: Request online at www.mchp.care/patients
Email: Jamie.McMahan@mchp.care
