NEW VA FACILITY IN PIKE COUNTY

MAX KIRBY A FIELD REPRESENTATIVE OF U.S. 3RD DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN DREW FERGUSON SPOKE TO THOMASTON KIWANIS TUESDAY ABOUT THE VA OUT-PATIENT CLINIC PLANNED FOR PIKE COUNTY.

THE SIZE—GROUND UP NEW CONSTRUCTION OR LEASE OF AN EXISTING BUILDING, LOCATION AND BUDGET IS STILL TO BE DETERMINED—BUT IT WILL HAVE 350 PARKING SPACES AND PROVIDE 150 JOBS. CURRENTLY THREE SITES ARE IN THE RUNNING —ONE SOUTH OF ZEBULON, ONE NORTH ON 19 AND ONE IN THE CITY OF ZEBULON .

KIRBY SAID THE SIZE WILL BE BETWEEN 33,000 AND 49,000 SQUARE FEET WITH A BUDGET OF 20 TO $50 MILLION AND A LEASE TERM OF 15 TO 20 YEARS. THE BID WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN LATE SUMMER, AND A TOWN HALL MEETING WILL BE HELD ON SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED PROBABLY IN JUNE OR JULY.

A SIMILAR-SIZED FACILITY IN HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA ATTRACTS OVER A MILLION PATIENTS A YEAR.