DEKALB - After nearly two years of cutting red tape and extensive lobbying, ground is scheduled to be broken next month on a new hospital here in Kemper County which is expected to create nearly 100 jobs.
The initial phase of clearing land for the hospital, which will be constructed and administered by Rush Foundation Hospital of Meridian, will begin during late January, authorities said.
Brian Henson, executive director of the Kemper County Economic Development Authority, said the county is currently seeking funding from the Mississippi Development Authority to pay for the infrastructure. The cost for water, sewer and operations is estimated at $600,000.
Plans call for the facility to be build on a 20.5 acre site off Mississippi 16 west in DeKalb.
"An option agreement to buy the land was reached with the owner, a man from California," Henson said. "We expect to start turning dirt in January."
The hospital, which is estimated to cost between $10 and $15 million, will feature 25 beds, an emergency room, administrative offices and a cafeteria, Henson said.
The next step in the process is to purchase the land and then bid out timber contracts, he said.
Rush will construct the hospital within the next nine to 12 months after the infrastructure is complete.
"This is really a blessing for our county and long over due," Henson said. "The list of the number of people who made this possible is very long. It was a total community effort."
Henson said both town boards in DeKalb and Scooba, supervisors, citizens, state and federal officials made the hospital possible.
The economic impact of the hospital is expected to greatly increase the incentives for other industries locating their operations in the county, Henson said.
One of the first things potential industries ask about are hospitals and schools, he said.
"The Rush Foundation Hospital will serve as another piece of ammunition for the county's incentive package when attempting to attract industry," he said. "It is all about the quality of life. There is no doubt this will improve that."
