RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that Holston Medical Group (HMG), a multi-specialty physician practice, will invest $3 million to open its first medical records data center in Scott County. The company, which will create 40 new jobs, will access and store the digital medical records of patients for multiple practices and hospitals in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. HMG also intends to augment the medical records facility with a multi-physician facility offering a full range of diagnostic services for Southwest Virginia. Virginia successfully competed against Tennessee for the project.
“Holston Medical Group brings high-paying, high-tech jobs to Southwest Virginia, and will help continue our efforts to diversify the region’s economy,” said Governor Kaine. “Scott County’s strong labor force and the region's growing telecommunications network helped us secure this new investment and new jobs.”
Established in 1977, HMG’s multi-specialty physician practice includes more than 100 physicians, and mid-level providers in its provision of 24-hour medical/surgical coverage. With 15 locations throughout the Southwest Virginia region, Holston Medical Group also offers three Urgent Care clinics (Bristol, Kingsport and Weber City), two state-of-the-art outpatient diagnostic centers (Bristol and Kingsport), and an outpatient ambulatory surgery center. On-site ancillary services available at HMG include x-ray and laboratory, mammography, CT, ultrasound and cardiac services. Areas of medical specialty include: family practice; pediatrics; internal medicine; internal medicine-hospital team; general and vascular surgery; orthopedic surgery; oral and maxillofacial surgery; obstetrics & gynecology; otolaryngology; child and adult gastroenterology; occupational medicine; endocrinology and metabolism; rheumatology; and comprehensive physical therapy and rehabilitation services.
“I commend the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Scott County Economic Development Authority for their innovative thinking and cooperative approach to economic development,” said Jerry L. Miller, MD, founder and president of Holston Medical Group. “They have been great partners from the very beginning, eagerly helping us understand the opportunities here in Virginia.”
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Scott County, the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, the LENOWISCO Planning District Commission and the Duffield Development Authority to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Kaine approved $150,000 from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Scott County with the project. The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission approved $150,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will support the project with training assistance through its Workforce Services Jobs Investment Program.
“This announcement today represents a transition to technology jobs, and we expect to grow more of these types of businesses in the e-Corridor Regional Park/Southwest,” said Dr. David Redwine, Chairman of the Scott County Board of Supervisors. “This business will be located at the entrance to the e-Corridor Park and will be a great asset as we diversify the economic base of Scott County.”
“As soon as I realized we had a chance to bring this wonderful HMG facility to Scott County, we focused our collective efforts and energies into making this happen for Southwest Virginia,” said Senator William Wampler. “This builds on one of our most important economic clusters—health care—plus it brings world-class health assets to Scott County.”
“Today’s announcement confirms, once again, the wisdom of the Tobacco Commission in its investment in high-speed fiber infrastructure for Southwest Virginia,” said Delegate Terry Kilgore, Vice Chairman of the Virginia Tobacco Commission. “Also, these types of higher skill level jobs bring wages that will raise the bar for the entire region.”