West Virginia’s 8 rural hospitals receive USD 40M grant

Eight rural hospitals received a total of $40 million through a special grant program organized by the governor.

During the October special session of the West Virginia Legislature, Gov. Jim Justice asked for the money to be used for improvements in rural hospitals.

Shortly after the session ended, Justice’s office put out a call for proposals from hospitals all over the state.

Justice announced the recipients at an event Tuesday at Boone Memorial Hospital.

“Our rural hospitals are truly the lifeblood of our state,” Justice said. “So many of us depend on the care, compassion and love you all provide to our neighbors, friends and families. You don’t just show up for work — you answer the call daily.”

Grants ranged from more than $11 million in Grantsville to $725,000 in Summers County. They will all be used to expand facilities and services throughout the state.

Nearly $600,000 is left from the original money and it will be distributed in the near future.

Grant funding was awarded to the following:

Minnie Hamilton Health Systems – $11,132,458
Funding will be used for significant renovations, upgrades and expansion of the facility.

Greenbrier Valley Medical Center – $7,500,000
Funding will be used for the construction of a new medical building to provide new and expanded services.

Rivers Health – $7,000,000
Funding will be used to relocate and expand the Emergency Department.

Boone Memorial Hospital – $5,894,527
Funding will be used to establish a dedicated patient observation unit, renovate the cardiac unit to create a cancer center, construct a new behavioral health clinic and invest in advanced robotic surgery equipment.

Roane General Hospital – $3,700,000
Funding will be used to establish a conference and education center, purchase state-of-the-art diagnostic radiological technology and infrastructure upgrades.

Pocahontas Memorial Hospital – $1,978,000
Funding will be used to modernize communications systems and infrastructure upgrades, including a new roof and HVAC system.

Preston Memorial Hospital – $1,500,000 
Funding will be used to expand existing facilities to provide additional patient care areas and a dedicated patient observation unit.

Summers County ARH Hospital – $725,000
Funding will be used to renovate and upgrade the radiology room. West Virginia Public Broadcasting