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New inpatient rehab hospital coming to Lafayette

A New Mexico-based company expects to bring 155 jobs to Lafayette. Ernest Health is setting up an inpatient rehabilitation hospital in the Cascada Business Park, near the Sycamore Springs clinic. Vice President of Development Angie Anderson says there is a need for this type of service in the Lafayette area. "We look at secondary markets that are usually under-served for free-standing, inpatient rehab. So, knowing that Indianapolis had plenty of options, but that we're still far enough away that it can be a hardship for patients and families to have to travel back and forth.” The hospital will be about 55,000 square feet and include 40 private rooms. It will cost $18.5 million. The Lafayette Redevelopment Commission agreed to provide $50,000 in job training funds. Anderson says the city’s financial assistance proves it wants to see companies like hers locate here and succeed. "There's just such a tremendous cost up-front before we can even start taking a patient. This just helps offset that, prior to laying our hands on anybody and being reimbursed. It helps with that." She says construction is slated to begin in March and the facility will likely open next spring. Ernest Health operates 16 hospitals in 9 states across the country. All are in the West, with the exception of one facility in South Carolina. This is the second economic development announcement for the Lafayette are in as many days. Wednesday, Alcoa revealed plans for a $90 million expansion, which is expected to create 75 new jobs.

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