WEST REGION
$9 million Total Project Cost
$9 million FCLF Federal NMTC Allocation
$5.3 million FCLF Community Development Financing
Construction of new 18,000 sq-ft facility and 5,600 sq-ft expansion of existing facility to provide healthcare through an FQHC
Estimated reach 59,055 annually
68 Temporary and 18 Permanent jobs estimated
"I am pleased to announce that we are partnering once again with FCLF on a critical project that will leverage NMTC funding to advance our mission of providing accessible healthcare to all. I can confidently say that NMTC funding will be a game-changer for our expansion plans. With the support of these funds, we will be able to serve more patients in underserved communities, invest in critical infrastructure, educate future healthcare professionals and create job opportunities in our surrounding communities. FCLF has been a trusted partner in our previous ventures, and we are confident that their expertise and support will be instrumental in the success of this project. Together, we can make a significant impact on the health and well-being of our communities." – Elodie Dorso, President & CEO, Evara Health
Evara Health has provided affordable, primary healthcare throughout Pinellas County for 40+ years, with a focus on underserved, low-income, uninsured, and underinsured individuals and families. Founded in 1980 by a pioneering activist in the fight against sickle cell anemia to help serve African-American and other low-income residents, today Evara Health provides an array of healthcare services from 14 locations. Evara Health, formerly Community Health Centers of Pinellas, is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and offers medical, dental, pharmacy, OB/GYN, behavioral and mental health services. 98% of its patients are low-income and 25% are uninsured.
With financing through Florida Community Loan Fund and the New Markets Tax Credit program, Evara Health will renovate 5,600 square feet in an existing building and construct a new 18,000 square-foot companion building on the same property in Clearwater’s Highpoint neighborhood. The result will expand the availability of services in behavioral and mental health, physical therapy, sports medicine, optometry, and podiatry, reaching 2,500 new patients and providing better access to existing patients. The new building will also include extra space to meet future medical needs of the community.
In addition to medical services, through a partnership with NOVA University Evara Health will host up to 150 medical students annually for a clinical rotation and provide opportunities for medical assistant certification. Florida has a severe shortage of medical professionals, and this partnership is an important part of the economic development of the community as it can lead young professionals to establish permanent residency in Pinellas County.
Florida Community Loan Fund provided $9 million in Federal NMTCs for Evara Health’s Highpoint expansion. FCLF also provided $5.3 million financing through its community development loan program. The investor is US Bancorp Impact Finance. The project has excellent support from area City and County governments, as well as funds from County and State sources and Federal grant funds through HRSA. This transaction was completed in April 2023.
“We’re proud to once again harness the power of NMTC to help Evara Health’s continued expansion. Evara provides vital safety-net healthcare across Pinellas County, and the work this fine organization does is vital to its nearly 60,000 clients.” – Nelson Black, Chief Lending Officer, Florida Community Loan Fund
Community Profile:
- 29% Poverty Rate
- Unemployment Rate 9.9x National Average
- Food Desert, Medically Underserved Area / Population (MUA/P), FEMA-Designated Disaster Area
Pictured above, architectural rendering of Evara Health's Clearwater Highpoint facility.
