UAB Medical West receives $360M loan from USDA to build new hospital

Medical West, an affiliate of the UAB Health System, is receiving a $360 million loan from the USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program to build its new hospital in west Jefferson County. 

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Dr. Jewel Bronaugh made the announcement today at the construction site of the new facility in McCalla. The Alabama hospital is one of 731 projects funded by the $1 billion program. It is one of the largest funded projects of its kind in USDA history. The program’s mission is to provide infrastructure that will increase access to health care, education and public safety while spurring community development for people living in rural communities. 

“Medical West is a win-win for everyone,” said Congresswoman Terri Sewell at the announcement. “I want to thank Senator Shelby for his tireless efforts and leadership. It really goes to show you that when it comes to the betterment and improvement of the lives of all Alabamians, Democrats and Republicans can roll up their sleeves and work together on behalf of all the people.”

The $360 million loan awarded to Medical West from the Community Facilities program will accomplish the following: 

• Build a state-of-the-art, 200-bed hospital.
• Feature a 26-room emergency department, 12 operating rooms, eight labor and delivery rooms, and eight multi-purpose rooms. 

The  strategically located 405,186- square-foot facility will serve rural west Jefferson County, Tuscaloosa County and other surrounding communities. The project will benefit approximately 333,000 rural people. 

“We are excited about bringing to the communities we serve, a state of the art facility with the modern efficiencies that patients come to expect,” said Keith Pennington, the CEO of Medical West. “It’s been a collaborative effort with many stakeholders helping to make this project happen.”

According to Pennington, the hospital is expected to open in 2024.

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