Congratulations to the Albert Lea Medical Center.

On Friday, it marked the official completion of a two-year, $19 million expansion. That effort began with a groundbreaking ceremony on Sept. 1, 2006.

The expansion is good news for Albert Lea and our local economy. Sure, ALMC is the largest employer in Albert Lea, but the biggest reason the expansion is good is because of the greater access to health care for the region.

It will allow more patients to come to Albert Lea for care, instead of going elsewhere. It will allow other companies in Albert Lea to point to the medical center when recruiting employees. It will allow government agencies to point to the medical center as a reason to bring companies here.

To be sure, it’s not the only reason for recruitment, but indeed it is a very good tool in the recruitment toolbox.

And the place is nicer for the patients who have been going there regularly. The medical center now has more space, more providers, more services, more doctors, more nurses, more patients, more retail goods.

The costs are not paid in full yet. ALMC is looking for $1 million in donations from the local public. A capital campaign is under way. Won’t you help?

Contact Betty Soukup, the development director for Albert Lea Medical Center, if you wish to donate. She can be reached at 377-6380.