CENTRAL REGION
$25.04 Million Total Project
$20 Million FCLF Federal NMTC Allocation
42,991 sq ft of new construction
2 healthcare facilities providing services to an estimated 22,444 low-income and underserved individuals annually
45 Temporary and 106 Permanent Jobs estimated
"Central Florida Health Care is excited to expand its services in Lakeland and Frostproof to be able to meet the needs of our community. Having this opportunity to work with Nelson Black at FCLF on our 2nd New Markets Tax Credit project has truly been a blessing. As we continue to provide “healthcare with a heart,” we are thankful for Florida Community Loan Fund for believing in our mission and vision to provide quality health care for the low-income, underserved patient population." – Ann Claussen, CEO, Central Florida Health Care, Inc.
Central Florida Health Care, Inc. is a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), providing comprehensive healthcare services to underserved and vulnerable populations. The organization opened in 1972 with one doctor and one nurse, from a location in Frostproof, Florida. As the organization grew, new locations followed; and today CFHC’s network includes 16 health centers strategically located through Polk, Highlands, and Hardee Counties. In 2023, CFHC provided care for more than 56,500 medical and 32,700 dental patients, with a team of over 565 healthcare professionals and support staff. Services are provided regardless of an individual’s ability to pay, with a sliding fee scale for those with no insurance coverage.
Two of CFHC’s facilities, in Lakeland and Frostproof, are currently at capacity and unable to provide the appropriate space to meet the significant needs of the community. With financing through the New Markets Tax Credit program, CFHC will expand services with the new construction of larger facilities at both locations, totaling 42,991 sq ft: 33,600 sq ft in Lakeland and 9,391 sq ft in Frostproof. These new healthcare facilities will serve an estimated 22,000 patients annually through 79,000 visits with extensive services, adult and pediatric medical services, women’s health, adult and pediatric dental services, pharmacy, lab, and x-ray services.
With the additional space and design features incorporated into new construction, CFHC will also have space for training and education for diabetic patients, health education, and nutritional classes for patients and the community at large. In Lakeland, the training space will also provide prenatal education and childbirth preparation classes.
Central Florida Health Care has experienced significant growth and expansion, yet there is still a critical unmet need. An estimated 72,000 individuals in CFHC’s service areas lack access to care. Expansion of the Lakeland and Frostproof facilities was planned to directly address the growing demand for affordable, high-quality integrated primary care for low-income, underserved populations. The New Markets Tax Credit program provides a cost-effective and timely solution to fund this expansion. Without NMTC, CFHC would solely rely on growth and grant funding, which alone do not provide enough capital to cover construction costs.
This is Florida Community Loan Fund's second NMTC project with Central Florida Health Care through a partnership that dates back to 2015. FCLF provided $20 million in Federal NMTCs for this expansion of two Central Florida Health Care locations. The investor is U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation. This transaction was completed in July 2024.
“Florida communities face challenges in accessing healthcare, including long distances to a clinic or hospital and fewer providers, which can lead to higher incidences of preventable conditions. Too often those who do not live in metro areas are inadequately cared for, but that can change. This is why expanding services and reach to patients is so important. Using NMTC financing, Central Florida Health Care is doing just that by scaling up its Frostproof and Lakeland locations in a way that will vastly increase the number of Floridians that can be reached with high quality healthcare.” – Nelson Black, Chief Lending Officer, Florida Community Loan Fund
Community Profile:
- 41% Poverty Rate
- Income 46% & 75% of AMI (area median income)
- Unemployment Rate 3.8x & 1.9x the national average
- Medically Underserved Area, FEMA Disaster Declaration Zone, Designated Brownfield, USDA Food Desert, SBA Designated HUB Zone
Pictured above, architectural rendering of Central Florida Health Care new Frostproof location. Below, architectural rendering of Lakeland location.
