ATLANTA – Ameris Bank is donating $2.23 million to 40 rural hospitals in Georgia, as part of the Georgia HEART Hospital Program in 2024. Colquitt Regional Medical Center is one of the recipients.

“Ameris Bank is pleased to donate $500,000 to Colquitt Regional Medical Center for their ongoing service to the community,” said Ameris Bank President Lawton Bassett.

“The medical center provides pivotal healthcare to our region, and we are proud to support such an outstanding group of medical professionals here in Moultrie,” said Katie Lopez, communications director for Ameris Bank.

Ameris has been participating in the state income tax credit program since 2018, contributing more than $12 million.

“Ameris is proud to support our rural hospitals and the communities they serve,” said Ameris Bank CEO Palmer Proctor. “The Georgia HEART Hospital Program is important because it not only provides much needed funding to these crucial hospitals, but also allows them to choose how the money is best spent to care for their patients.”

Of the 40 hospitals receiving funding, the majority serve communities where Ameris does not have a physical presence, highlighting the bank’s commitment to improving healthcare throughout the state. Both 2023 and 2024 have been record-setting years for Georgia HEART donations from Ameris, totaling more than $4 million.

The Georgia Rural Hospital Tax Credit enables Georgia businesses and taxpayers to redirect their Georgia income tax liability to support qualified hospitals. Participation in the Georgia HEART Hospital Program is limited to Georgia rural hospitals that meet qualification criteria established by law.