Olive Branch hospital to have $1 billion impact

Olive Branch hospital to have $1 billion impact

OLIVE BRANCH — Olive Branch Mayor Sam Rikard said Wednesday the 14-year effort to site and build a 100-bed hospital in Olive Branch will have a $1 billion impact to the fastest growing city in America.

“It’s a big day for Olive Branch,” Rikard said during groundbreaking ceremonies Wednesday at the hospital site near the intersection of Bethel Road and U.S. Hwy. 78. Rikard noted its construction will mean 500 new jobs.

“It comes at a time when the community really needs it,” Rikard said.

Sen. Merle Flowers, R-Olive Branch, said the hospital will have a long-lasting impact following its scheduled completion in 2013.

“This is something which will transform our community as a whole,” Flowers said. Flowers added a bit of levity to the event with an impromptu recitation of the words to the 1981 song “Celebration” by the group Kool and The Gang.

Desoto Times
10/20/11