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Lillington, NC, Oct 14 - U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington) today joined local leaders at a groundbreaking ceremony for a new hospital in Harnett County. Harnett Health System is receiving $63 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to construct the hospital, improving access to health care in Harnett County and the region. An estimated 100 jobs will be created with the opening of the hospital. The hospital is expected to create to 300 permanent full time positions when fully operational. In addition, the facility will generate approximately 300 construction jobs.

“Today we are breaking ground on a hospital that will be at the center of quality health care and economic development for years to come,” said Etheridge. “This is the first step on the road towards new job creation and greater access health care for our rural citizens.”

Etheridge worked with USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to secure two loans through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  Etheridge has secured a total of $63 million in loans for Harnett Health Systems.  He previously secured a $25 million loan from the USDA.  When local funding fell through, Etheridge went back to the USDA and secured an additional $38 million to fund the construction of the hospital.

Earlier this year, Harnett Health System’s Central Campus Hospital in Lillington, N.C., was selected to receive a $25 million loan through the USDA’s Rural Development’s Community Facilities Loan Program.  The additional loan of $38 million will be used to complete construction on the hospital which will provide emergency, general, acute-care and surgical services.  The new medical facility will be located on the Brightwater Science and Technology Campus.  In addition, the Betsy Johnson Hospital Facility located in Dunn, N.C., which is part of Harnett Health System, Inc., will upgrade and enhance the information technology system.

USDA’s Community Facilities Program finances essential buildings and equipment for public use in rural areas.  ARRA has provided investments nationwide that have played a vital role in stabilizing the economy, creating jobs, stimulating local economies and safeguarding public health.

“I fought hard for this funding to create jobs and move forward towards providing all North Carolinians with access to quality health care,” said Etheridge.