More than 300 patients have been treated at the Community Health Clinic of Butler County since it opened early this year.

That number will grow dramatically as the clinic adds more services and reaches more people throughout the county, according to Jean Purvis, secretary of the board for the non-profit organization.

The clinic was set up to serve adults between 19 and 64 who have incomes or assets too large to qualify for Medicaid but who cannot afford private medical insurance.

As many as 11,000 Butler County residents are eligible to receive free basic medical services and medications at the clinic. Maximum income for participation in the program is 200 percent of the U.S. federal poverty level. That would be $20,800 for an individual and $42,400 for a family of four.

The health center's small paid staff is augmented by about 100 volunteers who do everything from greeting patients to providing medical diagnoses.

"This clinic is a community effort, not the work of one person," Mrs. Purvis said after she was presented with a plaque honoring her service to the agency this week.

The facility occupies about 4,700 square feet in the Eagle Commercial Center, which is part of Bonnie Brook Industrial Park. The park is located north of East Butler Road in Summit and Butler townships.

The clinic was set up in a converted warehouse on a construction budget of about $200,000, according to Executive Director Bruce Lazar. The project was completed at about one-third of its normal cost, he estimated, thanks to the help of corporate sponsors and workers who donated materials and labor.

Engineer Regis Etzel, for example, worked with architect Jessica Forsythe to design the electrical system for the clinic. Other firms provided cabinets and countertops for the project.

The resulting offices, reception area and examination rooms look like those at most other primary care medical practices. "This is a nice, clean, state-of-the-art facility," Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato said during a visit to the clinic Tuesday.

The clinic contains space for current needs and room for expansion.

The clinic has set aside an area for a dental lab and for two dental chairs. Plans call for the clinic to begin providing dental care by early next year at the latest.

Even as the clinic seeks to expand services, top administrative changes are under way.

Mr. Lazar, who oversaw construction, has resigned. His successor is Cece Buechele Foster.

"My focus was on planning the clinic, getting it built and getting it open," Mr. Lazar said. "This is a perfect point for me to make a break and let someone come in with more experience on the medical side and the development side."

A retired Air Force officer, Mr. Lazar had several years of experience working with the Butler-based non-profit Lifesteps Inc., where he was vice president of operations.

Mrs. Foster has been involved with fund-raising activities for many organizations, including Butler Memorial Hospital, the American Cancer Society and the Butler County Humane Society.

"This clinic provides critical medical services," she said. "I want to be part of making sure those efforts continue."