MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — The state of Ohio is among the top three in the nation with a $3 billion commercial construction boom spearheaded by $1.8 billion in healthcare-specific projects in Southwest Ohio. A sizeable portion of this boom is for the new Middletown Regional Hospital (MRH), which is set to open in late 2007.

While the opening of the hospital is nearly two years away, area contractors already are benefiting from the project. To date, 55 percent of the construction bid packages have been awarded with nearly 80 percent of contracts going to Southwest Ohio businesses (see attached list). The hospital and Skanska Shook, the construction management company for the project, are looking to finalize bids on the remaining 45 percent of construction bid packages in early March.

"Middletown Regional Hospital has been part of this region for nearly 90 years," stated John W. McKinney, III, director of Facilities Management for Middletown Regional Hospital. "Part of our ongoing commitment to the area is to use as many local and minority-owned contractors as possible during the construction of the new hospital. Skanska Shook has been very proactive in this process and already has helped us identify a large number of top-notch local contractors for this project." The bidding process for construction work is by invitation only. Skanska Shook and the hospital's construction team are committed to the benchmarks they established for prequalification of subcontractors who want to bid on the project. These benchmarks include a strong track record for safety and quality workmanship, both of which result in cost-effective organizations committed to high levels of excellence.

"We knew the challenges we faced with a project of this magnitude," said Steve Risner, project director with Skanska Shook. "Early in the preconstruction phase of the project, we took steps to attract local, qualified contractors with large hospital project experience and proven track records for success. We are confident that the packages we have awarded include the best subcontractors this region has to offer." He added, "Our proximity to three major metropolitan areas — Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton — enables us to be selective in our bid process."

Skanska Shook and the hospital have worked hard to include local and minority companies in the bidding process. Last May, Skanska Shook organized a subcontractor fair to invite registered diverse firms to prequalify for the project and, if necessary, to team with other firms to bid on the hospital project. Skanska Shook also is a member of the South Central Ohio Minority Business Council. Through these and other means, the company's diversity director continues to target qualified, minority-owned businesses to encourage them to bid on remaining work.

There are 17 bids still to be awarded. These packages represent 20 percent of the overall construction budget for the new hospital.

About Middletown Regional Hospital
Middletown Regional Hospital is a 310-bed community hospital serving Butler, Warren, Preble and southern Montgomery counties in Southwest Ohio. A replacement hospital is slated to open in late 2007 on a 190-acre campus located just east of I-75 north of the Middletown exit.

Middletown Regional Hospital offers a full range of primary and specialty medical services. Middletown Regional Hospital, along with Miami Valley and Good Samaritan hospitals, is a member of Premier Health Partners.

Local/Regional Construction Firms Awarded Packages
The following is a list of construction companies that were recently awarded construction packages by Skanska Shook Joint Venture, the construction management team directing the new Middletown hospital project.