CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Kanawha County Commission agreed to a $50,000 payment in lieu of taxes from Thomas Memorial Hospital and Stonerise Health as the two move forward in building a 90-bed medical center in South Charleston.
The partnership involves building a $17 million transitional care facility capable of treating those with chronic medical conditions who require extended medical rehabilitation.
“It’s one of the first kind in the country in the sense that we’re going to be working with the professionals in the transitional care center along with the people in the acute care hospital to manage the care of the patient,” Thomas Hospital CEO and President Dan Lauffer said.
“Our main goal is to make sure once we identify the patient’s needs, that we’re working toward getting them rehabilitated so they do not have to be in a nursing home.”
The agreement includes $50,000 for 15 years, but Lauffer said this is a necessity for the project.
“It creates 100 jobs,” he said. “Not having this property tax incentive for us to be able to do that would be difficult for us to get that moving. It’s a jump start for us to get that project off the ground.”
Kanawha County Commission President Kent Carper agreed on the project’s economic value.
“I’m absolutely confident this is a good win for the county,” he said.
The deal is not yet final. Other affected county organizations, including the Kanawha County Board of Education, have to approve of the deal.
“Is (the money) significant? Yes,” Carper said. “The jobs are more significant. 100 jobs, that’s 100 families, 100 homes.”
South Charleston Mayor Frank Mullens is in support of the arrangement.
Carper added these deals are rarely done, but if an agreement is proposed, it is reached in open session.