Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation

New jobs for Martinsville-Henry County

Aug 8, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Crystal France
Director of Marketing/PR
Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation
276.403.5940
cfrance@yesmartinsville.com

Rhonda Seay
Director of Marketing
Memorial Hospital of Martinsville-Henry County
276.666.7200
Rhonda.Seay@LPNT.net


New jobs for Martinsville-Henry County
~ LifePoint Hospitals to expand in area ~

Martinsville, VA (Aug. 8, 2006) – The Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation, along with LifePoint Hospitals, Inc and Memorial Hospital of Martinsville-Henry County , is pleased to announce the expansion of the hospital’s Remote Business Office. This expansion will occupy the 4th floor of the BB&T Bank Building located at One Ellsworth Street in Uptown Martinsville.

The Remote Business Office, which previously employed 10 people, has recently hired 8 new employees with 2 remaining vacancies. According to hospital officials, it is expected that the Office will add an additional 10 employees in the next 6 months. The company has invested $50,000 to acquire new office space and equipment.

“We are excited about the new jobs being created in Martinsville and are significantly invested in the growth of this area. There is a tremendous work force that has been able to meet the needs for our hospitals and we look forward to seeing this new opportunity continue to prosper here,” stated Robert Wampler, Chief Financial Officer, Gateway Division of LifePoint Hospitals, Inc.

The Office is expanding its current business operations to include collecting accounts receivable for other LifePoint facilities that have been acquired and are converting to new operating systems. Presently, the Remote Business Office is collecting for Danville Regional Medical Center in Danville, VA, Wythe County Community Hospital in Wytheville, VA and Bolivar Medical Center in Cleveland, MS.

“This is some much-needed great news, coming on the heels of bad news,” states Mark Heath, President/CEO of the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation. “The expansion of LifePoint into our UpTown is central to our effort to promote the revitalization of the UpTown area. This puts to use an entire floor of a building that’s been relatively empty for quite a while.”

The Remote Business Office is expected to be fully staffed and operational by August 10, 2006.

Heath continues, “We’re pleased that LifePoint has chosen to grow with our community. This endeavor retains current jobs and brings new jobs. We look forward to a long relationship with the LifePoint Hospital system.”

LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. is a leading hospital company focused on providing healthcare services in non-urban communities. Of the Company’s 52 hospitals, 49 are in communities where LifePoint Hospitals is the sole community hospital provider. LifePoint Hospitals’ non-urban operating strategy offers continued operational improvement by focusing on its five core values: delivering high quality patient care, supporting physicians, creating excellent workplaces for its employees, providing community value and ensuring fiscal responsibility. Headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee, LifePoint Hospitals is affiliated with approximately 19,000 employees.

The mission of the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation is to create new job opportunities and expand the tax base for the area. The organization strives to support and develop local industry, as well as market Martinsville-Henry County globally as an exceptional place to live, work and play.

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