Watch us build; watch us grow

A symbolic shovel of dirt will mark the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Hillsboro this week.
Tuesday’s groundbreaking at the Hillsboro Medical Center will symbolically mark the start of construction of a $12.5 million project that will create a new two-story 36-bed nursing home and a new 16-apartment assisted living facility and renovate the 53-year-old hospital. The project is ambitious, progressive and necessary.
After five years of intense study and careful planning, the HMC board voted last year to move forward — instead of just treading water. They could have opted to make $2 million in mandated upgrades and simply held their ground. Instead they looked into the future and saw what could be, what patients and residents were demanding, what progress was needed if HMC was to thrive and not just survive.
We applaud their vision and admire their faith in the community. The community has long trusted the hospital and nursing home to care for our families and now the community is responding enthusiastically to the medical center’s plea to “help us build for tomorrow.”
Tuesday’s groundbreaking is proof positive that the long- standing “community” hospital and nursing home are still responding to the needs of its people. Healthcare available in our community — close to home and dear to our hearts — is an important part of Hillsboro’s foundation. It’s a strong base to build upon as our town continues to grow and prosper.
We urge the community to celebrate with HMC Tuesday — celebrate what the community has helped build over the last half century and what we will build for our future.