Blue Mountains Council has committed at least 250 thousand dollars to the Thornbury Medical Clinic.
More money may come down the road.
Every council member has expressed support for the clinic.
But members debated how much funding the town should give, and how the financial support should be structured.
North East Grey Health Centres — a non-profit, volunteer organization — is raising funds for new clinics in The Blue Mountains and Meaford.
Representatives say they need to have the town’s financial commitment by mid-May in order to make the deadline to apply for federal grant.
They also said the two existing Thornbury doctors — the husband and wife team of Doctors Tim Remillard and Natalie Sauriol — need to find new clinic space soon.
Their existing space is too small and needs repairs to stop leaks that caused some water damage recently.
Doctor Remillard first raised the issue four years ago, triggering the campaign to build two new clinics.
He adds both the Blue Mountains and Meaford need new clinics if they are to have a chance to attract new doctors.
The area is already short about three doctors.
And Doctor Remillard says the shortage could worsen as local physicians near retirement age.
Initially, the clinic would be designed for six doctors as well as a druggist and a physiotherapist, and there would be room for future expansion.
The cost for the project is estimated at about 2.35 million dollars and about 900 thousand more needs to be raised.
The fund raising campaign was going well until last fall.
North East Grey Health Centres Chair Lynn Johnston says that is when the economic downturn hit and the fund raising slowed drastically.
Fundraising chair Wayne McFarlane says a significant contribution from the town would send a signal that the town really is supporting the project.