Bigfork Valley gets a B-I-G check

Bigfork Valley received a big check in June from North Itasca Electric Cooperative – a really big check. The six foot wide “check” actually represented a special zero interest loan arranged through a program of the national Rural Utilities Service. North Itasca Electric participates as loan guarantor for the $450,000 loan which will go toward the hospital construction project.

In receiving the symbolic check, Gail Blackmer, chair of the board of directors for Bigfork Valley who accepted the check on behalf of Bigfork Valley, said: “The construction that is happening right now across the river from where we are today sends a clear signal to our community that Bigfork Valley intends to hold firm to our mission, which is to promote, deliver, and improve a community-based continuum of quality health care services.

“In rural areas, the hospitals, clinics and long term care facilities can be an economic engine that drives the cash flow of a community, whether by providing jobs, including professional grade salaries, by providing homes with services for our elders so that they and their families can age in place and feel secure, or by purchasing goods and services from other local entrepreneurs and businesses. This loan from North Itasca Electric is a great sign of future partnership between Bigfork Valley and the community.

“When completed, the hospital will have state-of-the-art surgery suites with a room especially equipped for orthopedic care. There will be ten acute care patient rooms overlooking the Bigfork River. The skylight in the public area will connect visitors, patients and staff with the outdoors.

“A new fitness center has everyone excited. We’ve picked out the exercise equipment that will be used both for physical therapy and for fitness use by the public. The equipment is partly being paid for through the interest we are earning from our work on building up the Endowment Fund. For more information on how you can leave a legacy by including Bigfork Valley in your estate planning, I encourage you to call the hospital and ask about the Endowment Fund.

“Thanks again to Jeff Ortman and staff, to the directors of North Itasca Electric Co-op and to all of you, the Co-op members, for sharing a common health care vision for the community and showing your confidence in Bigfork Valley by approving this loan.”