Middletown Regional Hospital's proposed health and technology campus would employ 4,750 people — 3,200 more than the hospital's current staff — officials said Wednesday in their most detailed statements yet on what the 550-acre project would cost and what it could pay back.

        About 3,000 of the jobs, with an average salary of $45,000, would be at the relocated hospital, and the rest, with an average salary of $47,500, would be at other health, research and education facilities the hospital is lining up for the western Warren County development, officials said.

IF YOU GO

• What: Warren County commissioners meeting.     • When: 5:30 p.m. today.     • Where: 406 Justice Drive, Lebanon.

        “I think the Warren County commissioners underestimate the impact that this will have for years to come,” Middletown Regional CEO Doug McNeill said.

        Supporters of the project in business and, increasingly, local government are cranking up the heat on the commissioners to back it.

        The hospital says it must move from its landlocked site in central Middletown to survive, and has secured land at Interstate 75 and Greentree Road in Turtlecreek Township.

        Middletown Regional needs the commissioners' support for a new interchange and annexation into Middletown, but the commissioners say they would prefer the development be built at Ohio 122, where there's an interchange.

        Some Turtlecreek residents also have fought the hospital's plans, citing concerns about the expected traffic, noise and additional commercial development.

        Middletown Regional released the job estimates and other numbers in anticipation of a meeting today between commissioners and local mayors and superintendents.

        The payroll is expected to total $225 million annually, the hospital said, noting that would amount to $3 million in earnings-tax revenues on a 1.5-percent city income tax. The part of the project not annexed by Middletown would be in Monroe.

        Construction and equipment costs for the campus are projected at $621 million. The hospital's portion, about $135 million, would not be subject to property taxes, but the rest likely would be.

        Infrastructure-wise, the hospital expects improvements to Greentree and Union roads and a new interchange to cost $23 million — which will come from city, state and private sources. Still, Mr. McNeill admitted, that figure doesn't include local road improvements outside the campus. The hospital is awaiting traffic studies, he said.

        Commissioner Larry Crisenbery is skeptical an interchange can be built for $12 million.

        The Union Centre Boulevard exit on I-75 in Butler County cost $24 million.

Deals provide 'turning point'
Leaders scramble to show progress
Linking cases greased deal's final resolution
Over-the-Rhine waits for reality
Plaintiffs greet agreement with hope
Plan may alter policy more than beat
Police monitor called crucial to enforcing settlement
Suburbs take news with passing interest
Text of Collaborative Agreement
Text of Justice Dept. Agreement
Agencies' members embrace change
Cincinnati may set a precedent
Business responds to call for change
CAN has plan for safe streets
Neighbor arraigned in 2 deaths
Winter won't wither
Cardinal pays visit to area
County gives away ballpark plaza bricks
IT high school's success draws governor's praise
Peace hopes, prayers
Tristate A.M. Report
Wyoming group slows down on land-use plan
HOWARD: Some Good News
PULFER: Death row tale
RADEL: The settlement
Guilty verdict in death case
Hospital would add 3,200 jobs
Subdivisions may be allowed to pick schools
Cooper'stown serves 'em up in Cleveland
Judge to Traficant: Quit 'dillydallying' on defense
Ohio court expands search power
Ohio man accused of fraud
Panel to study officials' ties to party
Campbell OKs social services budgets
Lawmakers leave bills in limbo
NKU sculpture's destruction called an accident
Officers to be honored for bravery