The Algoma Medical Center and Long Term Care Unit could be sold to a private party in 2022 to prevent the closure of the building.   A report by the Algoma Finance and Personnel Committee last August expressed concerns over the viability of the city to operate the facility over the long haul.  Despite the Long Term Care Unit operating in the black last year, City Administrator Jared Heyn says the financial outlook was bleak for this year.   The Medical Center Board had received an e-mail from the administrator last fall stating that the facility would be in a significant deficit for 2022 and that she was resigning, pending a replacement being found.  Heyn proposed to the Algoma Common Council to explore options, including selling the facility.

After listing with a real estate agent to see what the market would hold, a prospective buyer sent a “letter of intent” that is currently being considered by the Finance and Personnel Committee.  No decision has been ultimately made yet, but Heyn says that the Algoma City Council decided the preferred option is selling the Long Term Care Unit to another entity to keep it open rather than closing the facility because of the deficit.  No deadline has been set, but discussions with the prospective buyer will continue.  Heyn noted that the influx of COVID relief funds from the government has provided a significant cushion in the short term, but eventually, that funding will go away and a decision will have to be made.  The Algoma Long Term Care facility has 42 beds and provides skilled nursing and rehabilitative care.