POST FALLS - Heritage Health is expanding to Post Falls and the Silver Valley.

The nonprofit health center, formerly named Dirne Community Health Center, will receive a $650,000 seed grant from the federal Bureau of Primary Health Care to start clinics in those areas.

Heritage already has clients who commute to Coeur d'Alene from Post Falls and the Silver Valley. "This will allow us to expand our facilities into (those) areas," said Len Crosby, chairman of Heritage's board.

Heritage is looking to partner with physicians or providers on temporary sites for the clinics. The nonprofit would either find buildings to lease or build facilities of its own in the future.

The expansion announcement was made during Post Falls Mayor Clay Larkin's State of the City address on Tuesday at Red Lion Templin's Hotel.

"It has taken three years or more (to expand to Post Falls), but they never let down," Larkin said after the announcement drew applause from the crowd of about 200. "Now you see the end result."

Heritage has been working with officials in Post Falls and the Silver Valley to meet the health care needs of uninsured or low-income residents. The clinics will help that cause, said Mike Baker, Heritage CEO.

"We know that the hospital ER (emergency room) is being directly impacted and we also know that private physicians in the community are doing their best, but the need is still substantial," Baker said. "Our goal is to give each person ... access to a medical home that can improve health and prevent disease."

Baker said the expansions will rely on partnerships with existing medical, dental and mental health service providers.

"We have a lot of work to do to get this project up and running," he said.

The grant requires the clinics see their first patient within 120 days.

Luke Malek, Heritage's legal affairs director, said the seed money is intended to kick-start a sustainable program that will expand health care access.

"There's so much need in our area that's not being met," said Malek, adding that some people travel from Mullan to Coeur d'Alene to seek health care.

Heritage was established in 1989 as a volunteer medical clinic. It has been a nonprofit since 2005.

Heritage provides services to 15,000 people annually at its locations in Coeur d'Alene and Rathdrum and through a mobile unit.