Hardy County breaks ground on new health department with federal, state and local backing

Hardy County officials and federal and state partners ceremonially broke ground in Morfield on a new Hardy County Health Department, saying the project will add exam rooms, a drive‑up window and dedicated parking and strengthen access to rural health services.

County leaders stressed the project is the product of years of planning and multiple funding sources. A county commissioner who opened the ceremony said the department had outgrown its earlier facilities — once housed in a courthouse basement and earlier a doctor’s office — and that the new site was chosen after acquiring property behind the current location.

U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, the event’s featured federal guest, said lessons from the COVID‑19 pandemic changed how health care is delivered in rural areas and that ‘‘the rural health dollars that are coming to this project and others flow through my committee.’’ She noted the need to support both telehealth and in‑person services in rural communities.

Jana Lowry, community programs director for USDA Rural Development in West Virginia, said Rural Development and its partners have invested more than $1 billion across the state and that the agency provided community facilities and emergency rural health care funds toward this project. ‘‘That $1,500,000 that we put in was only half of the story,’’ she said, adding there is substantial local and state investment as well.

A representative read a letter from U.S. Rep. Alex Mooney that described facility improvements — three exam rooms, more training and office space, a drive‑up window and a dedicated parking area — and praised the health department staff and community partners.

County Commissioner David Bassler recalled early cost estimates of about $1.6 million and said pandemic‑era price increases raised construction costs; he said state and federal funding have covered most of the project though a small shortfall remains. State Sen. Randy Smith said he helped secure a $2 million line in the state budget to support the county’s project.

Bill Ayers, identified in remarks as the health department administrator, thanked longtime staff members, the county board of health and clinic partners and praised the county’s cooperative approach during COVID. County health officer Dr. Dewey Benson read the department’s mission and said immunizations and testing have been central to the department’s public health role.

Officials said construction work is already visible on site and that a formal ribbon‑cutting is expected in a few months. The ceremony closed with student recognition, refreshments and thanks to the contractor and engineer who will carry the work to completion.

What’s next: construction continues; organizers said they expect to schedule a ribbon‑cutting and public opening in the coming months.