The Cottonwood City Council authorized a partner­ship on March 3 with Northern Arizona Healthcare for the Gila River Indian Community grant application to develop of a comprehensive cancer center at the Verde Valley Medical Center campus.

According to NAH, approximately 70% of its oncology patients live closer to Cottonwood than to the current center in Sedona. The new center will reduce travel burdens and improve continuity of care for resi­dents of the Verde Valley and surrounding tribal and rural communities.

The cancer center aims to expand access to cancer care closer to home for Verde Valley residents by consoli­dating separate oncology services located in Cottonwood and Sedona into a single location. The oncology clinic and infusion services will be relocated from the hospital space to the dedicated cancer center. The radiation oncology services from the Sedona Medical Center will be relocated to the new VVMC-based center.

The total cost for the project is approximately $39.5 million. NAH is requesting $500,000 from the Gila River grant to help offset construction costs. The tribe dedicates 12% of its casino gaming revenue each year to support communities across Arizona via competi­tive grants focused on areas like health care, education and public safety.

State regulations require nonprofit organizations to collaborate with municipali­ties to be eligible for grant funding. State and tribal regulations also require an official town or city council resolution to authorize the municipality to serve as the fiscal agent. The city of Cottonwood would serve as the official partner and accept the funds on behalf of NAH.

Cottonwood would serve an administrative role and receive and transfer the grant money with no financial risk or commitment. NAH will assume complete responsi­bility for grant compliance and project execution.

Representatives from NAH shared a rendering of the building. The new center will include a patient parking and drop off zone, ambula­tory/fire service entrance, a covered connection to the existing medical office building and a healing garden and enhanced walking trail that will connect to the existing path.

The anticipated comple­tion of construction is June 2027, with plans to open in September 2027.

The resolution to support the grant application and accept and distribute the award funds was approved unanimously. If the funding is not secured, NAH stated it is committed to completing the project but timelines may be extended as addi­tional funding is raised