Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, August 7, 1993 TAG: 9308070088
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: COVINGTON LENGTH: Short
But the Alleghany County Board of Supervisors wants to hear the reactions of local residents Wednesday night before voting on the proposed 50-room birthing center.
The birthing center is one of two needed by the government and would accept women from federal prisons located in the Eastern half of the country. The other birthing center would be located in California.
Greenbrier Medical Group Inc.'s birthing center would be built on 4.6 acres owned by Dr. Krishna Sankar, who also owns Knight's Court motel near Covington. If the birthing center project moves forward, the local investment group said the Justice Department has agreed to a temporary arrangement in which up to 30 pregnant inmates would stay in Sankar's motel.
Construction of the birthing center would begin sometime after September if permission is granted by the county board and Planning Commission.
Richard Showalter, a Clifton Forge businessman and a Greenbrier officer, said the birthing center would house up to 100 female inmates. The inmates would be cared for at the center during the final two months of pregnancy and would remain for three months after giving birth.
The hospital has been providing birthing services to a federal women's prison in Alderson, W.Va., for two years.
The Alleghany Highlands Economic Development Authority's board has endorsed the project, which director Glynn Loope called sound.
Showalter said the birthing center would employ up to 65 people and have an annual payroll of $1.5 million.
by CNB