MERCER COUNTY Officials OK loan for health network

Lawrence County commissioners must approve the New Castle project.
MERCER, Pa. -- Mercer County commissioners have approved tax-exempt financing for a local health network serving low- and moderate-income residents.
Commissioners approved the tax-exempt status Thursday for a $1 million loan, which Primary Health Network, Hermitage, will obtain for the $1.25 million expansion.
The Mercer County Industrial Development Authority approved the project earlier this month.
Primary Health Network, based in Sharon, will use the loan for two projects. It will buy a 5,200-square-foot medical office building it has leased for almost three years at 737 Greenville Road, Coolspring Township. It also will add 3,200 square feet to a medical and dental office building it owns at 1112 S. Mill St., New Castle, which will allow chiropractic, pediatric and obstetrical services to be added to existing medical services. Ten jobs will be created at the New Castle site. Approval of Lawrence County commissioners is also needed before the project can go forward.
Mission
Atty. John Reed, representing the network, said the nonprofit group's mission is to provide desperately needed medical and dental services to low- and moderate-income residents.
He said, for example, that it is difficult for welfare recipients to find physicians who will treat them. He said because of the tremendous demand, PHC is expanding services.
Also Thursday, commissioners entered into an agreement with Consumers Pennsylvania Water Co. to provide water service for the new Mercer County Prison, which is under construction in Findley Township.
They also signed an agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, allowing the new jail to connect to the sewage collection system of the State Regional Correctional Facility at Mercer. There will be an $80,000 charge to allow upgrading of equipment, then a maximum $3,800 per month charge, based on usage.
New jail positions
Commissioners also created two new lieutenant positions in the county jail as recommended by the Mercer County Prison Board this month.
Commissioner Gene Brenneman said the posts will not be filled now but will be needed when the new jail opens.
In other business, commissioners appointed Gary Hittle of Greenville to fill the unexpired term of Mike Rossi of Hermitage on the Mercer County Solid Waste Authority. Rossi, in a separate motion, was removed from the authority for missing three consecutive meetings.