By Keith Roysdon—
DELAWARE COUNTY, Indiana – New medical offices – and a substantial investment in the community – are coming to Delaware County.
The Delaware County commissioners and Optum – a multi-state healthcare company that includes longtime local provider American Health Network – announced a new multi-million dollar development in northwest Muncie.
Optum will open new medical offices offering new services in a new facility adjacent to the current American Health Network offices on Morrison Road north of McGalliard Road.
Construction on the new facility is set to begin in spring 2021 with its opening planned for spring 2022.
The first phase of the development is a 25,000-square-foot facility with the ability to expand in the future, said Boyd Zoccola, executive vice president of developer Hokanson Companies Inc.
Zoccola said Muncie Investors LLC is the owner of the new facility, which will lease space to Optum and a subsidiary. Zoccola said phase one represents an investment of $6.8 million.
The goal is to provide a wider choice of health care to residents of Delaware County and the surrounding area, said LaRae Eggleston, vice president of enterprise development for Optum.
“American Health Network has a strong presence in the Delaware County market,” Eggleston said. “A lot of visiting specialists have rotated through that primary care suite, and there’s been a need for several years for a stronger presence.
“In listening to our patients, they don’t want to drive all the way to Indianapolis. They need more of these services locally. ‘What is the greatest need?’ drives what goes into these plans.”
Commissioner James King said, “Expanding options for good healthcare in Delaware County has always been important to me. I believe that if the residents have options to choose from, they will be provided the best care.”
“The American Health Networks facility has for years been a very busy facility. Being acquired by Optum, I’m pleased to see that they have immediately chosen to make a significant investment to expand the facility and offer more comprehensive services,” said Commissioner Shannon Henry.
American Health Network/Optum already has two medical offices in Delaware County: family practice physician offices on Morrison Road and its eye clinic on Tillotson Avenue.
“The new building we’re developing is going to be a multi-specialty medical office building,” Eggleston said. “Orthopedic surgery, podiatry, oncology and eye physicians, surgeons and ophthalmologists.” Also offered will be gastrointestinal services and colonoscopies.
Eggleston said that plans also include an outpatient surgery center.
She said the healthcare market in Delaware County includes “great services” by IU Health.
“When you look at our large footprint that American Health Network currently has in Muncie, we are listening to our patients and bringing services into Muncie in a more robust manner. We are bringing the services to the market where the patient lives.
“We’re building for growth,” she added.
“It’s incredibly important that health care is local,” Eggleston said. “Our expansion in the market is through a patient-centered way.”
Eggleston said the healthcare company had been talking about the project for a few years now. She said Delaware County officials “were very easy to work with.”
“The Delaware County commissioners have been fantastic partners.”
Brad Bookout, Delaware County’s Director of Municipal and Economic Affairs, said, “This is a great opportunity to expand the local tax base, create good jobs, and bring even more healthcare options to Delaware County. I’d like to thank Monte Brown and Mike Lunsford for assisting us with the introductions that made this great project possible.”
Commissioner Sherry Riggin said, “The continuation of investment to expand any business in Delaware County is a welcomed sight. I look forward to seeing the Optum health campus continue to grow.”
About Delaware County Economic Development
In 2015 the Delaware County Commissioners privatized the County’s economic development activities. Since that time, the County has developed its own business retention and expansion programs that are in constant contact with the multitude of industry within the County. In addition, efforts to identify and attract various suitable industry throughout the world are undertaken on an annual basis. For more information, contact Brad Bookout at bbookout@augustaconsultingllc.com.
