Officials with Kimball Health Services are laying the groundwork for a new hospital in that community to meet population growth expected with the pending Kimball-based missile project by the U.S. military.
Under the plan to be presented to the County Board at next months meeting, the $32 million project would completely renovate the 20,000 square foot former West Elementary Building, remove the east wall and add 40,000 square feet of new construction.
Hospital CEO Ken Hunter tells KNEB News the current building is land-locked with regard to adding new space, and a new facility would double the current number of operating and emergency rooms, would offer a larger procedure room and allow the hospital to expand service offerings.
“We have an oncologist that comes down here now, but we dont actually mix chemotherapy because we dont have a pharmaceutical hood, and we would add that. Wed do cardiac rehab, which we dont do now, and a number of other services,” said Hunter. “We have a board-certified hand and plastic surgeon, and weve become really busy. Weve been surprised how much business weve had in a rural area.”
80 percent of the funding for the project would come through the USDA, with the hospital foundation seeking $3 million in private donations and the balance through hospital revenue bonds.
Hunter says theyre hoping that with Board approval, the USDA would have an answer on their application by the end of May, which would allow some construction to possibly start as early as this fall, and hit full stride in the spring of 2022.
According to the presentation that will be made to the County Board next month, the project could have the following economic impacts, in addition to the expansion and improvement of medical services:
- Estimate of $1.2 million in projected increase in employment
- $8.3 million in annual wages, contracts and benefits
- Construction project would generate 200 jobs with over $7 million in salaries over 2 years
- If 10% is spent in the county, we could expect approximately $700,000 in additional sales and services over 2 years
- Beautification of downtown and mitigation of 2 dated structures
- Expanded options give residents a choice to receive high quality care in a modern facility close to home
