LEXINGTON, Ky. ⁠— A new partnership, announced by Mayor Linda Gorton and President of Baptist Health Lexington William Sisson, will generate a new medical campus, roughly 600 to 700 jobs, a $1 billion contruction project and land for a new fire/emergency medical station in Lexington. 

 


What You Need To Know


  • Lexington and Baptist Health Lexington announced a $1 billion construction project

  • The project will create 600 to 700 jobs

  • Baptist gave the city 3 acres for a new fire station

  • Construction is set to begin this year

 

“It’s exciting to announce a huge construction project and plans for jobs … new jobs, good jobs, home-grown jobs … at a time when our economy is just starting to recover from the fallout from COVID-19,” Gorton said. “These are jobs with a future for hundreds of citizens. And for the City, this will create new revenue to continue to maintain a high quality of life that grows our economy and serves our citizens.”

“Our goal in the development of this ambulatory campus is to envision the healthcare delivery system of the future, while maintaining the caring and quality Baptist Health Lexington is known for," said Sisson. "We are proud to be able to re-invest back into this community and region to support health and wellness.”

The Urban County Council approved the plan earlier this month, and construction is set to begin this year. 

Located in the Hamburg area, the campus' long-term plans call for a multi-story hospital, a surgery center, 12 other buildings with a combination of retail and medical office space and two parking garages.

Along with the new jobs, Baptist is giving the city three acres of land, valued at roughly $2 million, where a fire station will be built.

Baptist also plans to provide annual flu shots for city employees for 20 years, costing approximately $40,000 per year. 

Beginning in 2023 and for the following 20 years, the city will provide incentives for new Baptist jobs, expected to pay roughly $89,00 a year. In the first five years of the 20-year period, the city will rebate 1.25 percent of the new payroll taxes created by the new jobs. The city will then rebate 1.125 percent of the new payroll tax created from the sixth to final year.

“These are tax rebates on new jobs … jobs and tax money we would not have without this project,” Gorton said. "Even with the rebate, the new jobs will create approximately over a $500,000 a year in new payroll taxes for the City.

This announcement comes just days after Lexington announced its plan for recovery following COVID-19 shutdowns.