A ground-breaking ceremony was held on June 1, 2021 for the expansion of the Sandhills Medical Foundation Inc. (SMF) facility located in Lugoff, S.C.  Local leaders and members of the Foundation gathered at the site to celebrate the official ground-breaking for the nearly 13,000 sq. ft. expansion along with a much needed 125kw backup electricity generator. 

This project was made possible through a USDA Rural Development investment of nearly $3 Million.  When completed, the expansion will enable SMF to expand their services to their patients and ensure low-income patients always have access to quality healthcare.  The services that will be offered will be available to all with fees adjusted based on their ability to pay.  This means that quality health care will be available to rural residents who otherwise may not be able to afford it. 

SMF has been providing quality comprehensive health care since 1977.  It is a federally qualified community health center serving residents of Chesterfield, Kershaw, Lancaster and Sumter counties.    This facility will serve low income households, the uninsured, those with limited English proficiency, migrant and seasonal farmworkers, individuals and families experiencing homelessness and those living in public housing.  

Services that will be offered will be primary care, behavioral health, onsite pharmacy and laboratory services.  SMF also provides healthcare services in the community such as patient education, flue shots and health screenings such as blood pressure, diabetes, and much more. 

USDA is proud to invest in community facility projects like these because these projects are essential to rural communities and assists in creating a safe and healthy place for its rural citizens to live and work. 

The USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. For more information about this program see:  https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/community-facilities-direct-loan-grant-program/sc.

To see if you might qualify, please contact your local servicing Area Office at:  https://www.rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices/sc.