HOSPITAL GROWTH BOOSTS AREA'S ECONOMIC HEALTH

One doesn't have to look hard to find evidence of Cape Girardeau's thriving medical community. Our city has evolved into the health services hub between St. Louis and Memphis.

At the heart of the region's medical boon are two thriving full-service hospitals. With more than 1,000 employees each, St. Francis Medical Center and Southeast Missouri Hospital are two of the largest employers in town. They anchor and augment many of the city's other medical services.

These hospitals and related medical services are an important part of our economy. When they grow, so does Cape Girardeau's economic base. So it's good news that Southeast Missouri Hospital is ready to grow again. This 12th expansion is the hospital's most ambitious yet.

Groundbreaking is scheduled today for a four-story, 105,000-square-foot clinical services building. To put the building size in perspective, consider this: It's only slightly smaller than the Show Me Center, which covers 118,000 square feet.

The numbers do the talking for Southeast's expansion plans. Nearly every area of the hospital has shown consistent growth in the past few years. The increased space and services are needed to meet growing demand.

While the expansion should boost the local economy, the fact the $7.8 million general construction contract was awarded to a local firm Kiefner Brothers makes it all the better. This will assist the region in local goods and services bought, and underscores the fact the area boasts many fine construction firms. The addition should be ready for use in 1995.

The clinical services building is only part of an overall five-year, three-phase $30 million expansion plan at the hospital. These expansions will increase the hospital's under-roof space by 40 percent, to more than 355,000 square feet. That's a significant increase.

The first phase of the development plan already is under way: expansion of the hospital's mechanical building; construction of a power substation to meet electrical demands of new buildings; and construction of an enclosed, climate-controlled pedestrian corridor between the parking lots and main hospital.

The clinical services building represents the second phase, and the five-year plan's keystone. The final phase will include expansion of the main lobby, renovation of vacated emergency and radiology service areas, and construction of additional community education facilities.

Southeast Missouri Hospital will break ground on this impressive addition this morning at 9. Ceremonies will be centered at the hospital's east parking lot, and the community's invited. It's a fine opportunity to learn more about this major construction project.

Cape Girardeau's medical community continues to manifest healthy growth. And that benefits the entire region in terms of both increased medical services available and economic well being.