SCRMC expanding, ready by 2020 officials say

LAUREL, Miss. - South Central Regional Medical Center (SCRMC) is currently undergoing a $33 million renovation that will expand the hospital and services it currently provides.

President and CEO of SCRMC Doug Higginbotham said by 2020 residents will see the new larger and updated hospital.

He said during the last 11 years officials have been planning to expand.

“Our ER goes back to 1990's and it was put into some structure that was built in the 1960’s" said Higginbotham.

He continued, "And those structures while they may be good, the old houses for modern technology don’t work out to well.”

When its finished, the additions will include a new Emergency Room, Wellness Center, Rehabilitation Center, more medical offices, and even a helipad.

Higginbotham said its much easier being under one roof instead of being spread out across the city.

“You will see it looks like they will start with the Emergency building first and Emergency Tower" he said. "You will see the other buildings going up at the same time too" he added.

SCRMC hopes the newer renovations will enhance their future stability in the community. Higginbotham said South Central annually makes a $200 million impact with the local economy.

"We expect to keep the patients that we have, because we think we will be providing a more efficient and easier access service, and we hope that other people will recognize that access also.”

SCRMC is the second largest employer in Jones County and it looks forward to grow even more with the new development.

You can watch a live feed of the construction here.