The newly awarded funds will directly support regional healthcare initiatives tied to MCHP’s state-of-the-art integrated health center currently under construction in Spruce Pine. Spanning 20,000 square feet, the upcoming facility located on Grassy Creek will serve as MCHP’s new flagship health center and organizational headquarters.

"This partnership with the SECU Foundation is a pivotal moment for our team and the patients we serve across Mitchell and Yancey counties," said Tim Evans, CEO of MCHP. "As we look ahead to opening our new integrated health center later this year, these funds ensure we can smoothly scale our regional care infrastructure to meet local needs, keeping high-quality healthcare accessible and close to home."

Once completed in late 2026, the new Spruce Pine Health Center will bring expanded primary medical care, a dedicated behavioral health wing, and the network’s very first in-house retail pharmacy together under one roof. The facility will double primary care capacities, allowing MCHP to scale its services to help more than 10,000 patients annually regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.

MCHP’s existing medical locations in Bakersville, Burnsville, and Celo, as well as the Bakersville Dental Clinic, will remain fully operational to ensure uninterrupted, comprehensive care across the Toe River region.

"SECU Foundation is committed to supporting regional non-profits that break down barriers to critical services in North Carolina's rural communities. MCHP has a long-standing history of compassionate, community-focused care, and we are proud to invest in a facility that will serve generations to come," noted Jama Campbell, Executive Director of SECU Foundation.