United Health Services officials were surprised and pleased that regulators in Albany moved so quickly to approve expansion and renovations at Wilson Medical Center.

President and CEO John Carrigg said he and other UHS representatives had been working closely with the state Department of Health on plans for the project.

Carrigg said those involved involved in the proposal made "numerous trips" to Albany to explain the community's need for the project.

Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, Carrigg said he was "definitely shocked that the process went so quickly."

A rendering of a six-story building to be constructed on the north side of Wilson Medical Center. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
A rendering of a six-story building to be constructed on the north side of Wilson Medical Center. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
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The UHS Certificate of Need application was filed to the state in November and it was approved February 6.

Carrigg said groundbreaking for the project could occur in "about seven months." He said it's expected construction could be completed about three-and-a-half years after ground is broken.

UHS will be moving to take advantage of current low interest rates as it goes to the tax-exempt bond market to finance the project.

LISTEN: UHS president and CEO John Carrigg discusses the Wilson Medical Center project on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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