Highland Hospital has landed a $35 million loan to convert the former United Hospital Center into a mental-health facility, Clarksburg City Council learned Thursday night. City Manager Martin Howe said the financing includes a guaranteed $13.8 million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The remaining $21 million will come from two banks, Howe told City Council during its regular meeting. Following the meeting, Howe said it’s good to see the project moving forward. “It’s a project we’re excited to be a part of,” said the city manager, who serves on Highland-Clarksburg Hospital board of directors. Highland plans to open a $29 million, 150-bed mental health facility in the old UHC. The hospital plans to employ about 250 for an annual payroll of about $16 million. Highland also has a psychiatric hospital in Charleston.
