A major investment in the future of healthcare in Michigan’s Thumb was the focus of a visit Thursday from U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin, who toured the site of McKenzie Health System’s new hospital in Sandusky.
At about 70,000 square feet, the new facility will be significantly larger than McKenzie’s current, 45,000 square foot hospital, which dates back to 1967.
The project received a major boost last year when the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved a 74-million-dollar rural development loan for the new hospital.
Senator Slotkin told WMIC News that a request has been submitted for a federal earmark for the facility.
“I think it was about $1.5 million that we’ve asked for, for the radiology equipment for this state of the art facility,” Slotkin said. “When you can explain to people that a place like this isn’t just nice to have, but it’s a driver of attracting people to the community, it’s a driver for families wanting to move here and folks in the healthcare industry to come work here. So, seeing it in the flesh helps me go fight for that $1.5 million back in Washington.”
Senator Slotkin added that rural communities face unique challenges in maintaining healthcare access, and addressing those challenges is a priority for her in Washington.
“Coming out to see what a small community like Sandusky, and the county here, are doing to attract new people, is part and parcel of, I think, the federal government’s job of helping to make sure not just urban communities, but rural communities, can thrive.”
McKenzie officials say the new hospital is being built with future growth in mind, including additional space and infrastructure that can accommodate changing healthcare needs. With construction beginning last fall, the new facility is expected to be open to the public in the fall of 2027.
