SOUTHAVEN, Miss. (localmemphis.com) – For the second time in less than a month, a major medical company announces it’s setting up shop and adding hundreds of jobs in Southaven, Mississippi.
Thursday morning, Fresenius Medical Care broke ground on themassive Spectra Laboratories, which will provide a range of kidney treatmentcare. A mix of tax incentives finalized the deal, with the facility expected tobe fully operational in 2021.
Thursday’s groundbreaking in Southaven followed a 450-jobannouncement last month from medical manufacturer Medline. Everyone from theSouthaven mayor to Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant believe Desoto County issolidifying itself as a growing hub for medical jobs.
Senatobia, MS teacher and coach Scott Blaylock is one ofthose patients receiving such care. Last month, after Blaylock said he ‘feltlike he was dying’, he went to the hospital and learned of a potentiallydevastating diagnosis.
“They said, by the way, your kidneys have failed,”Blaylock said.
But all was not lost for Blaylock. He began a four-day perweek home dialysis treatment, through Fresenius Medical Care.
“It allows me to have some version of a normal life,”Blaylock said.
More medical success stories are expected at the soon-to-opensite on Stateline Road in Southaven. That’s where in 2021, Fresenius MedicalCare’s Spectra Laboratories will open, offering a range of kidney services. Alongwith that care, it will add 300 jobs, potentially as many as 600, SouthavenMayor Darren Musselwhite said.
“It’s a big deal you know, this is something a citydoesn’t have every day,” Mayor Musselwhite said.
“Health care helps keep professionals here,” Gov.Bryant said.
Gov. Bryant said Southaven’s industrial partyinfrastructure, Baptist Desoto Hospital, and other clinics make it a potentialmagnet for more medical companies.
“We are trying to build a medical corridor here fromMemphis through Desoto County. It’s been successful in Jackson, our medical corridor,new medical city in Harrison County,” Gov. Bryant said.
Gov. Bryant hinted to reporters Thursday another medicaljobs announcement could happen in Southaven as early as next week.
The Southaven mayor said the 300 laboratory jobs willaverage $61,000 a year and a company spokesperson said the application processfor those jobs will begin probably in a year or so.