Governor Corbett Touts Construction of Holy Spirit Hospital Data Center; Expected to Create 226 Jobs

Project Part of Recently Announced Economic Growth Initiative Awards

CAMP HILL, Pa., April 4, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett today visited Holy Spirit Hospital in Camp Hill to discuss its new Electronic Data Center construction project, made possible through the recent release a $3.25 million Economic Growth Initiative grant. 

"My administration is committed to making sure that we invest in projects that promise economic growth, new jobs, and a public benefit," Corbett said. "This state-of-the-art electronic data center project meets all three of those criteria."

"Holy Spirit saw the issue of rapidly expanding need for space related to its data center as an opportunity, rather than a problem. Through ingenuity, perseverance and hard work, the hospital will soon be able to recognize not only benefits for its operations, but will also be able to better serve patients," Corbett said. "This project exemplifies the spirit in which these awards are made."

The project is the redevelopment of a vacant grocery store into a state‐of‐the‐art electronic data center that will provide the comprehensive business continuity assurance required for Holy Spirit Hospital's ever‐increasing dependency on information technology.

The proposed 37,000-square foot facility is in a strip mall property, formerly the Camp Hill Weis Market, adjacent to the core campus containing the hospital, Ortenzio Heart Center, and other related operations. 

The facility will house more than 27,300 square feet of space dedicated to the data center and an additional 10,300 feet for future use. The project was designed to handle both current needs and anticipated growth for the next 15 years. The scope of the work includes design, internal demolition, mechanical, plumbing and electrical infrastructure, landscaping, general construction, and fit out of the space.

Currently, Holy Spirit houses millions of dollars in mission‐critical electronic and electrical components in multiple locations, which cannot accommodate the additional equipment required to meet the new standards for electronic medical records management and storage, nor meet increased demands for corporate automation.

Construction on the new data center is underway.

Once completed, the data center will handle integrated electronic medical records, streamline workflow, maintain the highest levels of security, enhance patient safety, measure outcomes, perform administrative and reporting functions, reduce duplication, and fulfill other critical operating needs.

The Economic Growth Initiative is an administration-sponsored economic development program that provides local communities with grants for the acquisition and construction of economic, cultural, civic, and historical improvement projects.  

Last month, the Corbett Administration announced the award of 54 new Economic Growth Initiative grants. These projects, totaling nearly $125 million, will create or retain more than 56,000 jobs in 28 counties across the state.

Last year, Corbett reformed the state's method of funding redevelopment assistance capital projects with a significant redesign, making the process more transparent and objective. Projects are now selected based upon their job-creation potential, their economic impact, as well as their viability and construction readiness.

For a full listing of approved projects, submission criteria, and for more information, visit the Budget Office online at www.budget.state.pa.us and select the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program link.

Media contact: Eric Shirk, 717-783-1116

Editor's note: For statutory and legislative purposes, the program will continue to be known as the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor