Bringing Health Care Home: Expanding Access to Care in Bondurant

CAO: Marketa G. Oliver

Population less than 10,000

As one of Iowa’s fastest-growing communities, Bondurant recognized that access to healthcare had not kept pace with its expanding population. Residents, city employees, and families were often forced to travel to neighboring communities for routine medical appointments, urgent care, employment physicals, and drug testing. This created unnecessary burdens on working families, increased time away from work and school, and limited access to preventive care.

Rather than waiting for the private market to solve the problem, city leadership took a proactive approach. Through its Targeted Business and Industry Program, Bondurant partnered with Exemplar Care to establish the community’s first local primary and urgent care clinic. City officials worked collaboratively with healthcare providers to create an agreement that made opening the clinic financially feasible while aligning with the city’s long-term economic development goals.

The impact has been immediate and far-reaching. Residents now have convenient access to preventive care, chronic disease management, urgent care services, and same-day appointments close to home. City employees also benefit from nearby occupational health services, reducing travel time and improving compliance with workplace health and safety requirements. The investment has strengthened public health while enhancing the overall quality of life for the community.
Beyond improving healthcare access, the project has reinforced Bondurant’s economic competitiveness. Reliable healthcare infrastructure is an important consideration for businesses deciding where to locate or expand, and the clinic provides an essential service that supports both current employers and future development. The availability of local healthcare also helps attract and retain families seeking a community with strong public services.

Bondurant’s success demonstrates how local governments can use strategic partnerships, innovative thinking, and economic development tools to solve complex community challenges. By bringing healthcare closer to home, the city has created a healthier, safer, and more resilient community while providing a model that other growing municipalities can adapt to meet their own healthcare needs.