Faced with increased demand in East County, La Maestra Community Health Centers is expanding its services by purchasing storefront space on East Main Street in El Cajon. The move, facilitated by a $15 million loan against future revenue, comes just months after the federally qualified health center opened a 6,145-square-foot clinic on Rea Avenue, offering mental health care and substance use treatment in addition to primary care services that are integrated with La Maestra’s overall network of facilities in City Heights, Lemon Grove and National City. Jeff Neumann, the nonprofit health provider’s chief financial officer, said Tuesday that the ongoing investment in El Cajon is driven by a gradual increase in the number of patients using La Maestra for their health care needs. Three El Cajon Zip codes — 92019, 92020 and 92021 — sent 8,621 patients in 2023, up from 7,619 in 2022. Nearly 10,000 patients, including many from the Chaldean Christian and Afghanistan immigrant communities, are expected in fiscal 2024. “East County is where we’re seeing significant growth, and there is no shortage of demand in the communities we serve,” Neumann said. The plan, he added, is to move medical services from one of La Maestra’s existing El Cajon Clinics on First Street to buildings contained in a shopping center on East Main Street near Dixieline Lumber that is already home to a dental clinic the organization operates within the same complex. Buying the property will allow a more significant renovation than would be easily accomplished at existing leased locations. “Part of our overall strategy is just bringing higher-quality services at higher-quality sites to our patients,” Neumann said. “Having ownership allows us to maintain it and keep it modern as we move forward.” The El Cajon City Council will hold a public hearing on La Maestra’s bond financing in council chambers at 3 p.m. July 9.