Smith Northview Hospital officially broke ground on an expanded Labor and Delivery area Thursday.

Hospital personnel, area business representatives and even a few patients attended the ceremony.

James “Jim” Matney, chief executive officer of Smith Northview Hospital, said the expansion will be beneficial to both the hospital and community.

“This expansion will add 30 more jobs to the area,” Matney said. “Also, we’re partnering with two local businesses, Ace Electric Inc. and Brasfield & Gorrie General Contractors so that the money stays here at home.”

Philip Poole, director of engineering for Ace Electric, said this is not their first time working with the hospital.

“We’ve had a relationship with Smith Northview from the beginning,” Poole said. “We are so glad they asked us to continue the relationship by working on this project.”

Ace Electric will provide all the technical support and engineering and electrical services.  

Matney said every bed in the hospital’s Labor and Delivery area is full. Expanding the area will allow for more patients.

Last year, the unit had more than 600 deliveries. When the project is complete, there will be enough space and staff for approximately 900-1,000 deliveries a year.

“We will be able to add three more labor and delivery services and one more postpartum unit,” he said.

The $2.5 million expansion will begin July 12 and is projected to be completed by Dec. 1. It will add 5,000 square feet to the hospital.

Smith Northview Hospital currently has 400 or so employees and three Labor and Delivery doctors, Dr. Mike Sharon, Dr. Danielle McFarland and Dr. Ellen Courson, on staff.