The Healthy Communities Loan Fund provides low cost, innovative financing to primary health care providers seeking to start, expand, or modernize a practice in areas of Virginia that have been designated as a medical, dental, and/or mental health shortage area.  (Follow this link to learn more about Virginia's Health Professional Shortage Areas.)

To date, the Healthy Communities Loan Fund (HCLF) has generated over $9 million in low interest rate loans to bring 71 new providers to medically underserved Virginia communities.

The HCLF was established in 1996 through a partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF).  BB&T underwrites the loans and several of Virginia's leading health professional organizations provide support and guidance.

Primary care physicians, dentists, pharmacists, mental health providers, community health centers, and hospitals serving those from underserved areas are eligible for the loans. These loans can be used to:

	Build, remodel or expand a facility or clinic
	Add new equipment
	Cover start-up costs or salary guarantees
	Serve as a "bridge loan" for new practices
	Help with any other practice related activity that brings a new provider to the area.

The Healthy Communities Loan Fund provides superior service to these health professionals through underwriting flexibility, one-on-one assistance during the loan application process, and technical support.

HCLF: Highlights

	Established as part of the RWJF Practice Sights Initiative in Virginia to address chronic shortages of primary care providers in underserved areas.
	First Virginia Banks, Inc. (now BB&T) received the prestigious Action Award from the American Bankers Association's Center for Community Development for its significant role in the HCLF.
	The RWJF featured the HCLF in a chapter in the 2003 Practice Sights: State Primary Care Development Strategies