Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Healthcare topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Piedmont Newton Hospital tells commissioners $2.2M ARPA supported a 10% bed expansion and other service upgrades
Summary
Piedmont Newton Hospital updated the Newton County Board on use of $2.2 million in ARPA funds, reporting a completed bed expansion and service-line investments that the hospital says have increased local admissions and services.
Piedmont Newton Hospital CEO Lindsay Petrini told the Newton County Board of Commissioners on May 20 that the hospital used the county’s $2.2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds toward a bed expansion and related construction that finished in December 2024.
"The $2,200,000 that you provided to us has gone to good use," Lindsay Petrini said, summarizing the county’s contribution to a project she described as just over $4 million in total capital costs, including Piedmont’s own investment. Petrini said the state issued a certificate of need for a 10% increase in beds and construction required moving some services to complete so‑called domino projects.
Piedmont reported growth in admissions, noting more than 600 admissions in April 2025 and higher average monthly admissions compared with 2020 levels. Petrini listed recent service expansions: new oncology, rheumatology and cardiology providers; infusion and orthopedic services with robotic technology; imaging upgrades (mammogram, CT, MRI); a renovated ICU and intermediate‑care unit; and an upgraded neonatal unit operating as a level‑3 NICU. "Today, I have 13 babies in that level 3 neonatal ICU," Petrini said.
Piedmont also described an $8 million capital investment in a medical office building (Eastside Crossing) and ongoing hires, noting the hospital now has more than 900 employees and reported uncompensated care of about $126 million (as stated during the presentation). The CEO said the hospital plans further expansions this year including a heart‑failure clinic and additional providers.
Commissioners asked about parking and ambulance/ambulatory services. Petrini said the hospital has taken steps to decompress parking and is exploring restriping and longer‑term parking solutions; she said parking decks would be costly. On ambulatory and emergency care, Petrini said a priority has been reducing transfers out of the county by increasing local capabilities (for example pursuing primary stroke‑center designation) and coordinating with county EMS and leadership to place ambulances optimally.
Why it matters: The ARPA funds were used to help expand capacity at the county hospital, which officials said supports keeping more care local and may reduce out‑of‑county transfers. Commissioners thanked Piedmont for investments and flagged ongoing operational questions such as parking and ambulance logistics.
