NORWICH – Pending business loans from the City of Norwich and Development Chenango could give Norwich Family Care on 157 East Main St. a new look and bring unique medical services to the area within the next few months.

With other practices in Oneonta and Walton, Eric Dohner, M.D. has rented space in the East Main facility since 2004 and officially purchased the building from Dr. Parker Ward last year. The growth of Dohner’s private practice has led him to apply to the city and Commerce Chenango for business loans with the intent of using a city loan for the purchase of new office furniture and medical equipment and money from the Chamber for interior building renovations.

Following approval of Dohner’s request by the city’s loan committee, some members of the Common Council expressed concerns that the city should be seen as a lender of last resort. After discussing credit history and the purpose of the loan to provide assistance for business expansion and economic development said to be beneficial to the community, the council approved a loan of no more that $40,000 to be repaid to the city over a five-year period with an interest rate of 4.5 percent. But the city loan is contingent upon approval of another loan from Development Chenango, which has yet to finalize a decision.