ANDERSON — The Madison County Community Health Centers received a $1.75 million boost toward expanding its Elwood and Anderson facilities and doubling the number of patients it serves.

The group, which recorded 18,000 visits last year from low-income patients seen by physicians, hopes to serve 50,000 after expanding facilities, said Tony Malone, president and CEO.

The grant was announced Tuesday at the group’s annual corporate meeting by Ann Alley, director of the Office of Primary Health Care for the Indiana State Department of Health.

“Madison County is fortunate to have this,” said Alley. “Hundreds of thousands of uninsured and underinsured rely on community health centers for their health needs.”

The group expects to receive a similar grant next year, bringing $3.5 million toward a $4.5 million to $6.5 million project to expand facilities.

The remainder will be sought from federal or local sources, including donations, Malone said. Previously, $200,000 was raised by the center for the project.

The state money comes from the settlement received in suing tobacco companies. The Health Centers, which is one of 47 centers in Indiana funded by tobacco money, received $2 million from those funds, Alley said.

The Health Centers opened in 1999 and faced a federal funding review last year. Results of the audit found the centers needed to improve electronic record-keeping and community service by adding physicians.

Examination rooms and dental exam rooms will be added to the Anderson center, 1547 Ohio Ave. Two buildings were recently purchased across the street from the facility where new programs will be added.

At Elwood’s center, 1817 South A St., examination rooms will be added and social services will be expanded, among other projects. There will be focus at both sites to improve electronic records as mandated by the federal audit.

“There are a number of technological infrastructures developments that are occurring,” said Malone. “It will be the envy of those who do health resources so they would know that this community is taking care of its people.”