Colquitt Regional receives donation from First Bank through Georgia Rural Hospital Tax Credit Program

MOULTRIE, Ga. – The First Bank makes a generous donation to Colquitt Regional Medical Center, displaying its commitment to the community.

Colquitt Regional was presented with a generous donation of $62,500 as a part of the Georgia Rural Hospital Tax Credit Program, an essential initiative established in 2016 to confront the mounting obstacles rural hospitals encounter.

“They donated those monies through the Georgia Rural Hospital Tax Credit Program. So, back in 2008, 2012, the market crashed and a lot of rural hospitals struggled financially. They were downsizing. Several hospitals closed in the state of Georgia. All of our state legislatures saw the struggle that we were facing. So, back in 2006, they initiated a rural tax credit program. And we have been working the program since 2008. And, the first was one of our first supporters in this program and donated tax credit monies to help our rural hospital,” said Nicole Gilbert, Director of Foundation and Volunteer Services.

Nicole Gilbert, Director of Foundation and Volunteer Services at Colquitt Regional Medical Center, offers valuable insight into the allocation of donated funds and the impact it has on the medical facility.

“It has helped finished the construction of an Oncology Center. It has built a Medical Education Center. It has constructed a Senior Wellness Unit here at the hospital, which is a first time service and then now the Medical Education Center. So, it is making such an impact in the way we take care of our patients,” said Gilbert.

In 2023, the first bank joined 278 other Georgia taxpayers in redirecting their Georgia income tax liability to provide crucial support to Colquitt Regional through the Georgia HEART program.

Colquitt Regional extends its heartfelt gratitude to the first bank for their impactful contribution, recognizing the immense value this support brings to enhancing healthcare services within the community.

“Well, we hope they’ll continue to show their commitment to our rural hospital and those around them as well. Since we’ve been a part of the Georgia HEART as a designated hospital. We’ve brought in $21 million to our hospital. So, it has made a significant impact. So, it’s people like the first bank that have come forward to help. It is just phenomenal, it helps with our patient care, helps the growth and the success of our hospital,” said Gilbert.

De’Andra Jacobs reporting.

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