ONTONAGON, Mich. (WLUC) – The Ontonagon Medical Board updated dozens of residents Wednesday night on plans for a new hospital.
The shareholder committee is working on next steps to secure a medical facility with an emergency room and assisted living. State Representative Greg Markkanen was also in attendance to voice his support. The main requirement is the required certificate.
“The first step is proving the need,” says Peter Wolfe, CEO and project manager at Robinson Rubber Products Company. “Next time, we’ll have to get another hospital to help us. So we have the procedures and equipment in place.”
Wolf points out that they aim to have nonprofit medical organizations contract with the facility.
The township says it also needs to go to Lansing and Washington, D.C., to make its case for building the facility. The plan is to build the facility within the Maple Manor Nursing Center. The center was donated to Ontonagon Township by Norman Pestka in August.
“We donated,” Pestka said. “It cost me $227,000 of sweat, capital, and people to help me solve the problem.”
Pestka said the total cost of renovating the building will still cost between $7 million and $8 million. But it also appears to be getting help from Congressman Jack Bergman and others.
“Jack helped us out,” added Ontonagon Township Supervisor Steve Store. “He’s going to get us a lot of money, Greg’s going to get us some money, so that’s all positive. And Norman is going to get us some loan money that we can take advantage of. We have already secured and are offering low-interest loans for execution.”
The store also said a business plan has been developed but will not be made public until certification is secured. The plan will be presented at a separate meeting at a later date. The committee aims to complete the project by the end of 2027.
The commission also notes that donations to the project can be sent to town hall.
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