FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Madera, CA – Community Vision Capital & Consulting, a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), is proud to announce its partnership with Camarena Health Center (CHC) in the development of three new Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) delivery sites in Madera County. Community Vision closed $7.2 million in financing to support the creation of vital healthcare facilities in underserved communities in the region.
Camarena Health Center, founded in 1980, is the largest primary care provider in Madera County and the broader Central Valley, operating 22 health facilities in Madera, Chowchilla, Coarsegold, Oakhurst, and Fresno. The center serves over 70,000 patients annually, offering medical, dental, and behavioral health services to individuals regardless of their ability to pay. The three new sites in Madera will significantly expand access to healthcare in designated Medically Underserved and Health Professional Shortage Areas.
The new facilities, located at 720 and 730 E. Almond and 325 and 401 N. Gateway Drive, will include:
- A Pediatric, Medical, and Dental Clinic, which will serve 8,500 children and provide over 19,000 annual visits.
- A Senior Medical Care Clinic, aimed at 4,500 seniors, addressing complex medical needs and providing 12,000 patient visits annually.
- A Downtown Madera Clinic, offering Urgent Care, Family Medicine, and Behavioral Health services to more than 12,000 patients, with a focus on addressing the increased demand for healthcare following the closure of the county’s only acute care hospital.
“We are proud to support Camarena Health Center in its mission to deliver much-needed healthcare services to communities in Madera County,” said Catherine Howard, President of Community Vision. “This project represents a transformative investment in health equity, helping ensure that vulnerable populations, including children, seniors, and working families, have access to high-quality care.”
The total construction budget for the project is $12.63 million. Community Vision provided $7.2 million in financing which is being paired with $11 million in New Markets Tax Credits from Border Community Capital, and a tax credit investment from U.S. Bank. Financing from both Community Vision and Border Community Capital are supported in part by the CDFI Fund, a department of the United States Treasury.
“This investment will create over 60 new jobs in healthcare, a sector that is crucial to the economic and social well-being of Madera County,” Howard added. “In addition to providing critical healthcare services, these new clinics will contribute to the local economy by creating permanent, high-wage jobs.”
In January 2023, Madera Community Hospital, the county’s only general acute care hospital, closed its doors along with its three affiliated community clinics. This closure further exacerbated an already strained healthcare system in Madera County, leaving thousands without access to essential medical services.
The new health center sites will serve approximately 17,000 unique patients, with 87% of those being low-income. These clinics will provide over 65,000 patient visits annually, addressing the healthcare gap left by the closure of the hospital and supporting the county’s diverse, predominantly low-income population.
“These new facilities will provide essential care to those who need it most in our community, especially in the wake of the recent hospital closure,” said Howard. “By expanding access to medical, dental, and behavioral health services, we are directly improving the health and quality of life for thousands of residents in Madera County.”
For more information, please contact:
Saul Ettlin
Senior Advisor to the President
Email: settlin@communityvisionca.org
Phone: 415-392-8215
About Community Vision Capital & Consulting
Community Vision Capital & Consulting is a federally certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that provides financing and advisory services to organizations that are strengthening communities in California. Through strategic investments in real estate, community facilities, and nonprofits, Community Vision works to build equitable, vibrant neighborhoods. Since 1987 Community Vision has provided more than $625 million in financing and grant resources, leveraging more than $2.5 billion in additional investment.
About Camarena Health Center
Camarena Health Center (CHC) is a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) providing comprehensive primary care services to residents of Madera County and the Central Valley. CHC operates 22 health facilities, serving more than 70,000 patients annually and offering a range of medical, dental, and behavioral health services to individuals regardless of their ability to pay.
