A Pell City company that helped build UAB St. Vincent’s St. Clair is now putting $250,000 toward the hospital’s future.
Goodgame Company Inc. made the contribution through Alabama’s Rural Hospital Investment Program, joining Metro Bank to bring the hospital’s private contributions to $750,000 — the maximum allowed for an eligible rural hospital in 2026.
Metro Bank contributed $500,000, while St. Clair County and the City of Pell City each provided a 5% match. The money will be used to purchase medical equipment for the hospital.
For Goodgame, there is history behind the investment. The company served as construction manager for the St. Clair County Health Care Authority during development of the hospital.
“Our connection to UAB St. Vincent’s St. Clair goes back to the construction of the hospital itself, when Goodgame Company had the privilege of serving as Construction Manager for the St. Clair County Health Care Authority during the development of this facility,” Goodgame Company President Jason Goodgame said. “Because of that history, this investment is especially meaningful to us as a company and as a family.”
Goodgame said the contribution allows the company to continue its support of the hospital.
“We have been proud to play a role in helping bring quality healthcare to St. Clair County, and we are honored to continue supporting the hospital’s mission through the Rural Hospital Investment Program,” he said.
The $750,000 investment comes during the first year of Alabama’s Rural Hospital Investment Program.
State lawmakers created the program in 2025 as a way to steer additional money to eligible rural hospitals which have been struggling financially for the last few years. Instead of a traditional state appropriation, the program allows Alabama taxpayers and businesses to make qualifying contributions to participating hospitals and receive state tax credits in return.
For 2026, the state capped the program at $20 million, with an individual hospital limited to $750,000 in contributions. UAB St. Vincent’s St. Clair receiving $500,000 from Metro Bank and $250,000 from Goodgame means the hospital reached that maximum.
The program proved popular quickly. The Alabama Hospital Association announced in February that taxpayers had reserved the entire $20 million available for 2026, about a month after the program opened.
The limits will grow next year. In 2027, up to $25 million in tax credits will be available statewide, with individual hospitals eligible to receive up to $1 million.
UAB St. Vincent’s St. Clair was among the hospitals approved to participate in the program for 2026. Hospitals are approved and ranked according to financial need before contributions can be directed to them.
Goodgame pointed to the combination of business and local government support behind the St. Clair County investment.
“The partnership between Goodgame Company, Metro Bank, UAB St. Vincent’s St. Clair, St. Clair County, and the City of Pell City demonstrates what can be accomplished when organizations work together to invest in the future of our community,” he said. “Together, we are helping ensure local residents continue to have access to quality healthcare close to home.”
Goodgame Company’s ties to Pell City stretch back more than 70 years. Headquartered there since 1955, the general contractor and development company works on commercial, industrial, institutional and site development projects across Alabama.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
