The Jefferson County Hospital Board of Governors met Tuesday at the Jefferson County Courthouse to discuss and then approve an extension of the lease between the hospital and Jefferson County which has been renewed eight previous times since the first lease agreement in December 1979.
Deltaplex News was present at the meeting and Jefferson Br Regional CEO Brian Thomas explained to the board that the extension would include two projects: Jefferson County Specialty Hospital in White Hall and a facilities modernization project in Pine Bluff. He also mentioned that both projects’ total costs would be approximately a $180 million investment.
After being asked about those two projects and their cost, Thomas responded this way.
Thomas explained to the board that the Specialty hospital will focus on impact rehabilitation services and Psych Services. While the modernization project will help redevelop their current facility to position Jefferson Regional to deliver healthcare services for the next 50 to 60 years.
In partnership with Life point to conduct the development of the project, Thomas said that the lease would need to be extended to 75 years from February 25, 2066, to December 31, 2099. That partnership was also specified as 60/40 which allows Jefferson Regional to maintain its role in leasing the facility.
After being asked how he thinks this will impact the Jefferson Regional and the county, Thomas said that it will bring a total of fifty jobs to their workforce and further elaborated.
The board unanimously approved the proposal and County Judge Gerald Robinson is set to present this proposal on the agenda for Quorum Courts Committees Meeting, Tuesday evening.
