By By Steve Swogetinsky/The Meridian Star
Feb. 8, 2001
PHILADELPHIA  Neshoba County General Hospital will be expanding its nursing home by 40 beds during the next year.
Supervisors in their Monday board meeting issued $2.5 million in general obligation bonds for construction of a new wing. Duncan Williams Investment Bankers of Memphis bought the bonds at a 4.3988 percent interest rate, according to County Administrator Benjie Coats.
The hospital has received a Certificate of Need from the state to add 20 beds for Alzheimer's/dementia patients and 20 general nursing home beds. The project will increase the total beds to 120.
The expansion of the nursing home facility is one of three building projects scheduled at the county-owned hospital. This summer, windows on the high-rise part of the building will be replaced at a cost of $230,000. A Community Development Block Grant will pay for half of the project while the hospital will pick up the rest of the bill.
The current windows were installed during the 1960s. Graeber said the new windows will be more energy efficient and will improve the looks of the hospital. The project goes out for bids in June, and the job should take 90 days to complete.
Hospital officials will be creating a critical care unit.
The renovation will cost about $400,000 and the unit will be located adjacent to the emergency room.
With the additions, the hospital is also looking to expand its kitchen and serving capacity. Officials are preparing a grant application to help pay for the cost. When the construction work is completed and the new units are on-line, Graeber said he expects the hospital will employ about 420 people, an increase of about 70 jobs.
Steve Swogetinsky is regional editor of The Meridian Star. E-mail him at sswogetinsky@themeridianstar.com.