November 30, 2020 3:25 a.m.

Congressman Peter DeFazio has announced a nearly $1.5 million grant, awarded by the Economic Development Administration, to construct a health and dental facility to service the Coquille Nation.

A release said the Ko-Kwel Wellness Center will provide medical and dental services for that tribe. As Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, which has jurisdiction over Economic Development Administration, DeFazio said he played a leading role in securing this funding in the CARES Act.

DeFazio said, “Tribal Nations continue struggling to access affordable, quality and attentive health care”. He said the new facility will be a “game changer” for the Coquille Nation.

The Ko-Kwel Wellness Center will be located on the Kilkich Reservation to serve tribal members in the Coos Bay and North Bend area. The release said the grant was awarded under a $1.5 billion grant program funded by the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act.