MOULTRIE, Ga. — Ameris Bank donated $500,000 to the Colquitt Regional Medical Center as part of the bank’s involvement and support of the Georgia HEART Hospital Program.

The bank’s financial support will assist in the final costs of the recently opened Edwards Cancer Center and will also significantly aid in funding future resources for a new education and training center, one of the hospital’s upcoming projects, according to a press release from the hospital. This facility will offer simulation labs, classrooms and educational resources for clinical and medical staff along with physicians in the residency program.

The Georgia HEART Hospital Program, in conjunction with the Georgia Rural Hospital Tax Credit bill (State Bill 258), was passed in 2016 as a result of the rural hospital closures since 2008. Rural hospitals, like Colquitt Regional, face significant financial challenges and cuts in healthcare reimbursements. The Georgia General Assembly passed this law to assist rural hospitals increase their funding and their ability to grow and expand healthcare services during economic hardship.

Ameris Bank is one of 205 Georgia taxpayers who redirected their Georgia income tax liability to help support Colquitt Regional. The gift to Colquitt Regional is part of $800,000 that Ameris gave to hospitals in its markets; those gifts were originally announced in July.

Current Ameris Bank Market President Ronnie Marchant and Senior Vice President Tim Powers, who will assume Marchant’s position at the end of the year, presented the check to Colquitt Regional President and CEO Jim Matney.

“We have been overwhelmed with support from the community, and we are especially thankful for local businesses like Ameris Bank who have made such generous contributions. With this bill in effect, Georgia taxpayers can rest assured knowing their monies helped provide better healthcare access, more medical equipment, and better facilities that will benefit them directly when they need us,” said Matney.

“Ameris Bank is honored to financially support Colquitt Regional to assist in their continual efforts to provide and enhance access to healthcare for our local citizens. The Edwards Cancer Center is a vital addition to the hospital as well as the future education and training center that will provide and benefit our community,” said Ameris Bank Senior Vice President Tim Powers.