SMELTERVILLE — A new sign at the Shoshone Medical Center — Wellness Center and Family Medicine building was recently installed to bring vital information to local passerbys.

The LED sign was installed a few weeks ago and is very visible to traffic along I-90, which was an important part of the reason the sign was put up.

“The placement was very strategic,” said Shayleen Jerome, SMC’s business development coordinator. “We wanted to be able to inform people and the sign will allow folks passing by to see what services are available at our facilities out there.”

The general public will now be able to see an on-the-fly schedule for things like speech therapy, special conferences, and changes or updates in scheduled events. SMC wasn’t alone on the project though.

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ) had been planning to put an informative sign up in the Pinehurst area, but decided to partner with SMC so a larger sign could be purchased.

LED signs like the new one in Smelterville can cost in the 6-figure realm, depending on the size and capability. And while the cost was undisclosed, the new sign is definitely top of the line.

With the city of Pinehurst’s historic air quality issues, putting a reader board sign displaying the current air quality rating seemed like a good idea to inform the public and the DEQ had grant monies already set aside for the installation of informational signs.

“The Targeted Airshed Grant had money set aside for installation of electronic signs,” said Ralph Paul, DEQ airshed coordinator. “When we initially talked with the hospital and found out that they actually looked into getting a sign, but found it cost prohibitive, DEQ was more than happy to work with them to get the sign they wanted.”

Partnering with SMC gives the air quality experts with DEQ an avenue to inform locals not only about air quality, but also some of their special programs.

“DEQ plans to put some simple messaging on it, like ‘Burn Dry Wood,’ the Air Quality Index — stuff like that,” Paul said. “We hope it will be an easy way to get some simple messages out there to the community and continue improving the West Silver Valley’s air quality.”

The SMC Foundation helped cover some of the cost of the sign, along with the hospital and DEQ, which fits right along with the hospital’s goal of working alongside the community they serve.

“This sign was part of our strategic plan to continue partnering with the local community to inform,” Jerome said. “We are all about working together and cohesiveness.”