Dr. Matthew E. Kent, O.D., PA., along with his wife Becky Kent, opened their own vision clinic in rural Shoshone, Idaho (pop. 1,503) through the assistance and guidance of Region IV Development and the Economic Development Administration (EDA) Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) and the US Small Business Administration 504 Program.
Dr. Kent had historically been providing optometric services in clinical settings in rural Gooding, Ketchum, and Twin Falls, Idaho. As such, Dr. Kent witnessed the increasing need for optometric services in other local rural areas in south-central Idaho, including the Medicaid and Medicare demographics. In 2016, Dr. Kent proposed to build a stand-alone eye clinic in Shoshone to serve patients not only locally in Lincoln County, but also those from the other surrounding rural counties (Gooding, Jerome, and Blaine). The centralized location of the new eye clinic in Shoshone alleviates the need for patients to drive too far of a distance for all eye care needs and appointments, which in the winter months can be hazardous.
Partnering with Banner Bank, the Kent’s were able to utilize the EDA RLF and the SBA 504 loan program to finance working capital and the construction of a new 1,280 square foot building located at 520 N. Greenwood Street in Shoshone, Idaho.