The Ak-Chin Indian Community is one of seven national recipients of the highly coveted federal program to develop a new tribal healthcare facility.

The tribe was named a recipient of the Indian Health Service Joint Venture Construction Program on Wednesday, according to a press release issued today. The program will enable Ak-Chin to replace its aging 2,000-square-foot clinic on Farrell Road and Santos Street with a new 14-acre site.

The program has helped facilitate the opening or expansion of 30 tribal health centers, hospitals and other healthcare facilities since 1991. The community will fund the construction of the new facility and is leased to IHS, which will provide federal dollars to staff the facility.

Only one other Arizona tribe has been selected for the program. In 2001, the Tohono O’odham Nation was named a recipient to construct the San Simon Health Center, located along State Route 86 between Sells and Ajo.

The groundbreaking is expected to occur next year, following a planning and design process with federal authorities. Construction will take up to two years to complete.

Ak-Chin Chairman Gabriel Lopez learned of the selection while meeting with U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. last week. He expressed his gratitude for the selection, calling it a “huge step toward increased self-governance and greater control of Ak-Chin healthcare.”

Prior to this, services were provided through Gila River Health Care. Last month, the clinic’s operation transitioned to IHS and staffing to the Phoenix Indian Medical Center.

“This investment is also a tremendous honor to our past leaders who have always had our community’s healthcare needs at the forefront,” Lopez said. “Our Elders can remember the all-day travel that was once required in order to seek medical treatment in the early days. Going forward, this new health center with comprehensive services will ensure high-quality care is available right here and will make a real difference in the quality of life for the Ak-Chin people.”

Kennedy said the program helps build “health, hope and opportunity across Indian Country.”

Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.), who represents Maricopa and the Ak-Chin Indian Community, also applauded the move in a statement today.

“This is a historic investment in rural healthcare. The new facility will provide critical support, expand access to quality care and help close longstanding gaps in Arizona’s Second District,” he said.