Medical Center in Leeds granted $511,000 in federal money

LEWISTON — DFD Russell Medical Center in Leeds has been awarded $511,520 in Recovery Act Funding, U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree announced Monday. DFD is one of 18 medical centers in Maine awarded with over $10 million in federal money intended to support construction, renovation and repair work at the centers throughout the next two years.
"This Recovery Act money will create construction jobs locally and improve access to health care for thousands of Maine people," Pingree said.
Lauri Kane-Lewis, chief executive officer at DFD Medical Center, said, "We received funding on Monday and are ecstatic to be able to serve the community."
The primary care center plans to create much-needed repairs and upgrades over the next two years. Plans to build a garage to house an ambulance are also in the works.
Kane-Lewis said DFD will send out notices to the community about possible projects in the next 30 to 60 days and hopes to begin renovations, repairs and construction by winter.
"We're using all local contractors," she said.
The $10 million granted to Maine is part of the $851 Million in grants made under the capital improvement program, First Lady Michelle Obama announced.