CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Kanawha County Board of Education approved a resolution Thursday regarding payment in lieu of taxes, in turn allowing the development of a health care facility in South Charleston.
Thomas Memorial Hospital and Stonerise Health are looking to build a $17 million transitional facility capable of treating patients who require extended medical attention. The center will be located next to Thomas Memorial Hospital in South Charleston.
Thomas Hospital CEO and President Dan Lauffer said in August the project will create 100 jobs.
The agreement is valued at $50,000 for a 15-year period.
Thomas Memorial Hospital general counsel Aaron Alexander said the board of education had to approve the plan because of the use of taxes.
“What it allows is the operation to have a steady, solid tax base in terms of payments,” he said. “Since it implicates the tax base, the board of education receives money through those levies and it’s important for them to understand and agree to it.”
Alexander said the facility is a benefit to patients because they no longer will have to be transported to other locations for treatment.
“We can actually send our people over if there is a concern,” he commented. “If there’s a fracture, we can send a portable X-ray machine over. It helps the facility with regards to care, it helps keep our ER free and it provides additional space for care for Kanawha County.”
According to Alexander, officials are looking to break ground on the 90-bed facility in December.