IRON MOUNTAIN — A health care benefits assistance program funded by a voter-approved millage in Dickinson County has served 239 clients through the first half of the year, county board members learned Monday.

Mylynn Trulock, director of Medical Care Access Coalition and Prescription Assistance, said the program has generated $632,000 in prescription savings over that period.

“The need is very strong and growing daily,” she said.

Working out of an office at Dickinson County Healthcare System, the coalition has provided prescription assistance to 132 people, along with helping individuals and families obtain Medicare, Medicaid or health insurance marketplace coverage.

The four-year millage approved by voters in November has generated greater interest in the coalition’s services, Trulock said. The 0.1-mill levy will generate $93,245 this year to help fund the program.

MCAC, which has operated since 2004, submitted the only proposal to the county to operate the counseling service, and a contract was approved earlier this year.

Trulock provided a mid-year report to the board and answered questions. Prescription assistance, she explained, can come though government programs, improved insurance coverage or, in some cases, free products from pharmaceutical companies.

A similar program is operated by MCAC in Iron County, funded by a separate millage.

The Dickinson program can be reached at 906-776-5412. More information is available at http://www.dimcac.org/.

In other action, the county board:

— Learned from Controller Brian Bousley that construction of a new 16,000-square-foot hangar at Ford Airport won’t be completed until next fall at the earliest. The board in June awarded a $1.28 million contract to Gundlach Champion of Iron Mountain, expecting the company could get steel for the project by October. Bousley, however, recently was informed the steel won’t be coming until April.

Commissioner John Degenaer Jr., who voted against the contract, said it was “shameful” the board had accepted a bid from Gundlach Champion that was $87,000 higher than one from Superior Steel Systems of Iron Mountain, and now won’t be getting the steel before spring. The board’s decision, however, wasn’t based solely on the steel and Bousley said the contract included no guarantee on a delivery date. When completed, the county plans to lease the hangar to a commercial interest while also having office space for its own use.

— Heard Bousley report that an exploratory well drilled in 1999 near the boat landing at Lake Antoine Park has shown promise as a permanent water source for the park and campground. After being uncapped, the well has produced about 100 gallons per minute, believed to be more than adequate, he said. Quality tests by Coleman Engineering Co. are pending. The county never opened the campground after broken water pipes were discovered this spring. With repairs winding down, it plans to make the facility accessible for the Lake Antoine Park Partners’ Crafty Flea Market on Sept. 11 and have it open for next year’s camping season.