UPDATE
IRONTON, Ohio (WSAZ) -- Ironton City Council and the Lawrence County Commission voted Wednesday to support plans for a new medical center in Ironton.
Lawrence County Health Care Futures announced the plans for its brand new family medical center Wednesday night.
"It'll give our citizens of ironton and the surrounding Lawrence County here an opportunity to come right here in the city of Ironton to see a doctor instead of having to make that trip across the bridge," Ironton Mayor Rich Blankenship said.
Construction should begin next year at the site, just off Route 52 near Ohio University Southern. It's the first phase in what could become a full fledged hospital.
"We've heard from a lot of people in Ironton. They would like to see the return of a full service hospital to Lawrence County and ultimately that is the goal, but it can't happen unless we have these phases, that we see the support for a family medical center," Doug Korstanje, the marketing director at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center, said. "And then from there, we'll see where it goes, but with the support we saw here today, there's a lot that's possible."
With a strong start, many local doctors are already on board.
"Every physician we've talked to appeared very sad the old hospital closed and would like to get a facility back. You know, they said they live in this community, and they'd like to practice in this community and not travel out," Dan Smith, the CEO of ClearPoint Companies, Inc., said.
The first phase is a $2 million investment and much of that money will come from private sources. However, if the second phase goes in as planned, it will be a $20 million investment. This also means 70 new jobs in the first phase alone.
Original Story
IRONTON, Ohio (WSAZ) -- St. Mary's Medical Center plans to announce a goal of building a family medical center in Ironton this evening.
The Ironton City Council and the Lawrence County Commission both plan special meeting to discuss resolutions of support for the project.
The facility will be built at the intersection of US 52 and State Route 141.
Doug Korstanje, director of marketing and community relations for St. Mary’s, tells WSAZ.com the project will be completed in phases, starting with a family medical center. A surgery center and imaging center could follow.
Many in the area would like to see a hospital built in Ironton. River Valley Hospital closed seven years ago due to financial difficulties.