With the help of a renewable $650,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Franklin-based Mercy Community Healthcare is expanding its service offering to include an adults-focused practice and is in the process of “securing a separate, nearby location” to house that operation.

Mercy officials announced their plans in a Friday statement that also said it has rebranded itself from Mercy Children's Clinic. CEO David Winningham was unavailable for comment late Friday but said in the same presser that Mercy’s change of name reflects its expansion of mission.

“Our new name is one that encompasses not only where we have been, but also where we’re going. Mercy Community Healthcare will provide healthcare to both children and adults in a compassionate setting, regardless of the person’s ability to pay,” said Winningham.

Mercy's clinic is in the Williamson Square shopping center on Highway 96 near Interstate 65. Commercial real estate experts could not be reached immediately for comment on Mercy’s expansion plan but it’s reasonable to assume square footage similar to the provider’s current occupancy is available and near given the vacancies in the area.