Medical Center Has Over $18 Million Impact on Local Economy

Greene County Medical Center generated in excess of a $14 million impact from salaries and employee benefits for the Greene County area economy in 2020, according to the most recent economic impact study by the Iowa Hospital Association (IHA). The medical center has 267 non-contracted employees with over 97 different positions. Employees at the hospital purchase goods and services locally that generate an additional 127 jobs in the area for a cumulative payroll impact of $18.6 million. The report also shows the medical center’s employees and those in additional jobs that depend on hospitals spent just over $3 million on retail sales within the county that resulted in $186,000 in state sales tax revenue. Board of Trustees Chairperson Jim Schleisman noted, “The presence of such a large organization like the medical center is a great support to our local economy. We are proud to have this significant impact on our community’s economic vitality, and to offer the health care services that will generate further economic growth. In return, we appreciate the great support from our community when they
get their health care locally that will allow us to maintain a financially viable hospital.” The annual IHA study examines jobs, income, retail sales and sales tax produced by hospitals and the other entities in the state’s health care sector, including physicians, dentists, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, pharmacies and other medical and health services such as home health care, county health departments, hospice and medical equipment suppliers. The source of data for the study is hospital-submitted data on the American Hospital Association’s Annual Survey of Hospitals. Statewide, the study found that Iowa hospitals directly employ 76,169 people and create another 67,647 jobs outside the hospital sector. As an income source, hospitals provide $5.3 billion in salaries and benefits, and generate another $3.2 million in payroll from other jobs that depend on hospitals. Most Iowa hospitals are among the largest employers in their counties. According to the IHA report, hospitals are essential to local and statewide economic development – companies that want to relocate or expand demand access to comprehensive, high-quality health care services.