Richmond-based Reid Health is expanding its presence in Fayette County. The health system on Friday announced plans for an investment of more than $100 million to establish a new campus in Connersville that will replace the former Fayette Regional Health System facility it acquired in 2019.
Reid says the decision was made to build a new campus due to the age of the current facility, which dates back more than 100 years, as well as deferred maintenance due to the former operator’s financial issues. .
Fayette Regional Health System declared bankruptcy in late 2018, leading Reid Health to acquire the majority of Connersville’s assets. The move allowed the facility to continue operating without interruption.
Reid Health CEO Craig Kinyon, former chief financial officer of Fayette Regional, said the new campus is part of a commitment to expand services in Connersville.
“This is going to give the region access to high-level, state-of-the-art care tailored to the needs of Fayette County,” Kinyon said in written remarks. “This facility will provide patients with a place to receive a very high level of outpatient service without having to travel. We believe this investment will be a source of pride in the community for decades to come.
The new campus will be built on former Kmart property at 2500 Park Road, which the health system acquired in early 2021.
The project will include a two-story, 177,000-square-foot facility that includes 400 parking spaces and an on-site helipad, which Reid says will be the first in the county in 30 years to be located next to emergency services.
The facility will include a new emergency department, radiology and laboratory services, as well as a mix of primary and specialty care options such as cardiology, OB/GYN and oncology, among others.
One thing the facility won’t have are inpatient hospital beds. The health system says financial difficulties faced by Fayette Regional, combined with the facility’s proximity to Reid Hospital in Richmond, led to the decision.
“We don’t provide inpatient care because we can transfer patients to Richmond in less than 30 minutes and have all the subspecialists and specialists there for their care,” Kinyon said. “To replicate this in Connersville would not be financially viable, and it is our responsibility to build a healthcare facility that can meet the needs of the community for years to come.”
Since taking over the current facility in 2019, Reid Health has added 180 jobs in Connersville. This number is expected to increase further with the new campus.
“I am thrilled that Reid Health is honoring its commitment to Connersville with access to high quality health care,” said Connersville Mayor Chad Frank. “Growth is on the way and the future is bright for Connersville. I’m glad Reid Health recognizes this and has decided to move forward with us in our growth.
Reid Health plans to open the new campus on October 19. Construction is expected to be completed in 2024.
Kinyon says he hopes the project will lead to additional development in the city.
“We hope this project will give the community another important reason for businesses to locate jobs in the Fayette/Connersville area. Hopefully this will be a catalyst that will incubate other ideas within the community and be something that can be used as a springboard. We sincerely hope that this is part of this project, that there is a good positive momentum coming from it.
Kinyon says that once the new campus is operational, the current Virginia Avenue facility will be demolished in hopes the property will be redeveloped.
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