FRANKLIN COUNTY — Morthland College Health Services President Dr. Tim Morthland announced Tuesday his intentions to build a new hospital on a 10-acre site off I-57 near the Benton airport, ultimately bringing 250 full-time jobs to Franklin County.

The hospital will have 25 to 40 beds with an emergency room and surgical center. It will also include clinic space for local providers. Morthland says what prompted his decision for the hospital project was that Franklin Hospital in Benton is not meeting the healthcare needs of residents.

Morthland says he would like to see participation from the Franklin Hospital Board for the project and is seeing it emerge. But Morthland went on to say that if that doesn’t happen, the project will still move forward.

As for Franklin County hospital’s debt situation, Morthland has presented a plan to the Franklin County Board to deal with it.

The hospital project has a three to four year timeline and a projected $30 to $40 million construction budget. Morthland hopes to break ground on the project as early as next fall.