WEST BRUNSWICK TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- Two health care providers are teaming up for a project in Schuylkill County.
Geisinger and St. Luke's University Health Network plan to partner to build an 80-bed hospital along Paramount Boulevard in West Brunswick Township, off Route 61, near Orwigsburg.
According to Geisinger and St. Luke's officials, this is the first time in Pennsylvania that two health care systems have agreed to build and equally co-own a new hospital.
People who live in and around the borough are happy about the announcement.
"That'll be great," said Margaret Bair of Pine Brook. "I was just in an automobile accident, and they had to take me to Reading, and if we could be right here, that would be great."
"It gives Orwigsburg residents and surrounding townships close, accessible health care," said Orwigsburg borough manager Robert Williams.
The hospital will be built where the Paramount Theatre used to be off of Route 61 which is also near where Geisinger has an outpatient facility.
The new hospital will be 120,000 square feet, have three stories, 80 beds, and an emergency room.
The groundbreaking will be this spring and the hospital is expected to be finished late next year.
Orwigsburg's borough manager says the hospital will bring countless jobs, new residents, and new businesses to the area.
"The entire Route 61 corridor is just exploding with positive economic good news. This hospital will bring a lot of surrounding and supporting businesses," Williams said.
Thomas Pharmacy in downtown Orwigsburg has been in business for more than 50 years. Folks there think a new hospital nearby will definitely impact the store.
"I think it's going to be a good thing for the community. It brings in jobs and hopefully gives us more business also," said pharmacy technician Cheryl Zimmerman.
Community members look forward to seeing how the two hospitals working together will benefit them.
"I think it's a good idea. It might cut down on costs. I don't know exactly how that would work, but they will have expertise on both sides," said Peggy Moyer of Orwigsburg.
St. Luke's will build and manage the hospital. Geisinger contributes physicians, support staff, and expertise.
Geisinger and St. Luke's are still trying to determine how much the new hospital will cost and how many jobs will be created.