Representatives from a Georgia-based company visited Fulton recently, prospecting for a potential 150-bed skilled nursing facility near Fulton Medical Center.
CorrectLife, founded by Dr. Carlo A. Musso, is operating the Bostick Nursing Center in Milledgeville, Georgia, which offers assisted living to parolees or people eligible for parole but with no place to go. According to Bruce Hackmann, economic development director at the Callaway Chamber of Commerce, Musso is interested in building his second facility here for the same purpose.
St. Louis attorney Richard W. Hill said an application, or certificate of need, is being prepared. It's tied to a piece of property on Hospital Drive. Hill said the application will be submitted by June 29, but comments can be taken beyond that date.
"If there are any comments, they can send them over at any point in time," he said.
The 65,000-square-foot facility will provide 24-hour skilled nursing care. Hill added the current estimated cost to contruct it is $19.9 million.
"CorrectLife is trying to establish something there for low-risk parolees or those eligible for parole," he said. "These are patients in feeble condition and because of their past history, are not able to find a spot in a skilled nursing facility."
Hackmann said the facility will be secure, and Hill added patients need constant medical monitoring.
"These are not individuals that will be out walking about," he said, adding 576 in-need people have been identified in the state. "They need 24-hour nursing care."
According to Hackmann, Musso visited Fulton last week with Edens Davis, director of government affairs for ConnectSouth, based in Atlanta, Georgia. Davis formerly worked for Georgia governors Sonny Perdue and Nathan Deal and former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens during his inauguration and transition into office, according to his bio. He did not return a phone call.
A June 14 public notice published in the Fulton Sun asked for comments to go with the certificate of need document that must be approved before the deal goes forward. Those comments should be addressed to Hill at 714 Locust St., St. Louis, MO 63101.
Hackmann and Hill said the former inmates who would live at the facility would come from throughout the state. Hill said he didn't know the number of jobs that would be created. CorrectLife's website stated the company is hiring registered and licensed practical nurses, medical assistants and records clerks, physicians, nurse practitioners and others.
Hill added a meeting in September is planned with the Missouri Health Facilities review committee's certificate of need board.
"It's a lengthy process," he said.