Planning for the Future of Healthcare
Kearney County Health Services is beginning Phase 1 planning for a potential new construction healthcare facility to ensure we can continue serving our community for decades to come. This planning phase helps us determine the right size, scope, and affordability of a future project. No bond issue, tax levy, or taxpayer funding is being proposed.
Why We Are Starting This Work
Our current hospital has served this community well for generations, but the facility dates back to 1954 and was not designed for today's patient volumes, modern clinical workflows, or future healthcare needs.
Kearney County Health Services is committed to transparency, fiscal responsibility and preserving strong local healthcare for our patients, families and future generations.
Learn More About This Project
This Planning Effort is Being Driven By:
• Growth in patient visits, outpatient services, and community demand
• Space limitations that affect efficiency, privacy, and patient flow
• The need to evaluate how best to support emergency, therapy, outpatient, and inpatient care long term
• The importance of protecting local access to care close to home
How Financing Will Work:
A major goal of this process is making sure any future project is financially responsible.
• KCHS is exploring USDA rural healthcare financing programs
• These programs are repaid through hospital operations, not through local property taxes
• No bond issue or taxpayer burden is being proposed as part of this planning work
• A project would only move forward if it is shown to be affordable and sustainable
What Phase I Includes:
• Reviewing department-by-department space needs and square footage
• Developing an early conceptual design for a potential new build
• Working with USDA and advisors to assess project feasibility, affordability, and community support
• Gathering input from staff, providers, and the community before any final decision is made
What Staff & Community Members Should Know:
• This is a planning and evaluation phase, not a final construction commitment
• A potential build site has not been decided
• The purpose is to gather the facts needed to make a thoughtful decision
• Staff input will help shape how future departments and workflows are designed
• Community support matters, and KCHS will continue sharing updates as work progresses