News 12 at 6 o'clock, September 23, 2008

COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga.---The Medical College of Georgia Physicians Practice Group just got the go-ahead to build a $34 million dollar facility in Columbia County. It's at the intersection of Knob Hill Farm Road and Washington Road.

The facility will be a state of the art Ambulatory Care Center. "This is the right thing in the right place at the right time," says Dr. Curt Steinhart, the CEO for Physicians Practice Group.

Steinhart looks toward the future at a facility he feels is very much needed. "There really isn't much in the provision of medical care right in that area," says Steinhart.

An area, in the Northwest part of the county, that is constantly growing. "All businesses, whether health care or other businesses want to be where the growth is, and that's really where the growth is happening," says Steinhart.

Physicians Practice Group plans to break ground here by the end of the year and be fully functional by 2010. One thing Steinhart has not had trouble getting, is support. "Elected officials, appointed officials, community citizens. We've had virtually hundreds of letters of support," says Steinhart.

"Anything you can add like that to improve the quality of life, add more services for citizens is just a great thing to have," says Columbia County Commission Chairman, Ron Cross.

The $34 million dollar, 65,000 square foot facility will be known as MCG Medical Associates. It will offer a wide range of services for outpatient care, truly making it a one stop shop.

"The modern health care consumer is really focused on quality, access, and convenience," says Steinhart. Three things, Steinhart says they will get with this building.

MCG will use tax exempt bonds to cover the construction costs.

University, Trinity and Doctors Hospitals have all opposed the project. So final approval won't be granted until the appeals process ends October 19th.