ROCHESTER - A Waukesha-based health care company will close its only Racine County clinic two years after opening it.

ProHealth Care officials announced earlier this week that they would close the Rochester clinic by month's end. The 6,600-square-foot clinic, which the company opened in July 2007, was the first commercial building in a new development along Highway 36.

The clinic employs a doctor, a nurse and a receptionist. Dr. Gil Steffanides and the nurse he works with will move to the ProHealth Care clinic in Mukwonago, said Sandra Peterson, a ProHealth Care spokeswoman.

"It is just more cost effective for us to provide the community's health care needs at the Mukwonago clinic," Peterson said. "The economy is affecting all of the health care industry."

The Rochester clinic will close after July 31, Peterson said.

ProHealth Care currently operates 26 clinics and two hospitals in southeastern Wisconsin, Waukesha Memorial Hospital and Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital.

ProHealth Care owns the building on Millgate Drive, but officials have no plans for the building at this time, Peterson said. There is always a possibility the clinic could be reopened in the future, Peterson said, "We do not have plans one way or the other."

The Rochester Village Board in June approved a proposed gas station at the north end of the Millgate Center development.

Rochester Village Administrator Betty Novy said officials were notified of the plan to close the clinic. The souring economy has forced local officials to take a closer look at proposed development projects, Novy said.

"I know that when we are looking at new development, I guess we are a little more cognizant that the financial guarantees are in place," Novy said. "Hopefully the economy improves and ProHealth or some other tenant finds that building suitable for its needs."