First Metro Bank donates $250K to hospital

RUSSELLVILLE — Russellville Hospital has received a $250,000 donation from First Metro Bank through a state tax credit program.

“All rural hospitals are struggling,” said Chris Ware, Russellville Hospital chief executive officer. “This is the [Alabama] Legislature’s way to help by allowing this tax credit.”

The contribution was made possible through Alabama’s Rural Hospital Tax Credit Program, which allows businesses and individuals to contribute to eligible rural hospitals in exchange for a dollar-fordollar credit against their state income tax liability.

Thehospitaldidnotmeet its funding goal through the program, Ware said. He said he hopes the donation from First Metro Bank will help increase awareness of the program.

Greg Bowling, executive vice president and chief operating officer of First Metro Bank, said the program allows the bank to direct state tax dollars into local health care support.

“We are thankful for the opportunity to turn our tax dollars into meaningful support for Russellville Hospital,” Bowling said.

Michael Cummings, assistant vice president and Russellville branch manager for First Metro Bank, said the bank understands how important it is to have a hospital in Russellville.

“As a community bank, we see every day how important access to quality health care is for the families and businesses we serve,” Cummings said.

He said supporting the hospital is “a meaningful way to invest in the wellbeing of our neighbors.”

Ware said the funding will be used to address facility needs and support patient care and services.

The 50-year-old hospital has ongoing physical plant needs, he said, including equipment such as a boiler and chiller used for heating and cooling. Those types of infrastructure updates are among the priorities.

He said the hospital also hopes to add additional service lines as part of its ongoing expansion efforts.