The latest beneficiary of federal stimulus money in the region is the Ferrum Community Health Center in Franklin County.

And a public-private partnership for broadband expansion in the county is hoping it's next.

A $493,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will provide a new pharmacy for the health center on the Ferrum College campus.

The estimated price tag for the project is $621,000. The remaining funding will come from the health center's budget.

Located in Vaughn Chapel, the current 510-square-foot pharmacy doesn't allow for much growth, said Pat Moles, operations manager of Tri-Area Community Health Center, which includes the Ferrum location.

The new pharmacy will be five times larger and allow for more storage and retail space. The medication assistance program for uninsured patients will be moved from the clinic to the pharmacy.

Moles said she is not sure when construction will begin, but the expansion should take about 18 months to complete.

Franklin County officials are eyeing the recently announced broadband funding, too.

About $4 billion will be available through the federal Department of Commerce and Department of Agriculture, beginning Monday, to localities and businesses interested in expanding broadband accessibility.

Franklin County, with the Salem-based B2X OnLine firm, plans to apply for funds to add towers to the existing broadband network and lower installation costs for customers, said Sandie Terry, the county's information technology director.

Rep. Tom Perriello, D-Albemarle County, has hosted two broadband roundtable meetings in the 5th District to assess the needs in rural areas.

"We lose competitive advantage every day that we fall behind on broadband access," Perriello said in a news release. "Internet infrastructure is becoming just as critical as telephone lines and interstates for our businesses, our students and our seniors."

The county worked with Ferrum College to develop a map of broadband accessibility, Terry said. The southern, eastern and northwest edges of the rural, mountainous county are in the most need, she said.