The city of Bowling Green should be proud that it has Christian Care Communities operating here.

The organization provides living space and serves the needs of the elderly and those suffering from terminal illnesses.

The facility has outgrown itself and is seeking to add on to the existing building on Westen Avenue across from Living Hope Baptist Church.

Currently, the campus has 79 independent living apartments for seniors operating under Village Manor and a 32-nursing bed facility called Christian Health Center. The organization hopes to expand the Christian Health Center.

The faith-based, not-for-profit organization is seeking a U.S. Department of Agriculture-guaranteed loan for the project, which would include construction of a 64,825-square-foot facility containing 72 beds.

The organization has initiated the certificate-of-need process with the state for beds that would be a combination of assisted living and memory, or Alzheimer’s disease, care beds.

In Warren County, there are only 60 beds licensed specifically for Alzheimer’s patients. Those are at Magnolia Village and it maintains a 97.62 percent occupancy rate. Warren County’s beds are the only licensed Alzheimer’s beds within the Barren River region.

Christian Care’s nursing beds are typically full and the independent living apartments run in the mid-90 percent range.

It is quite clear from these numbers that an expansion of the current facility is certainly in order.

This organization, which also has properties in other cities in Kentucky, has a very good reputation and provides a vital service to those in need of it.

We believe that it is important for this organization to get the certificate-of-need approval for the sake of those they help on a daily basis and we are hopeful that they do.