SMYRNA — The state will allocate $50 million in federal funds  to build a new Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill in Smyrna, Gov. John Carney, Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long and Secretary of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services Molly Magarik announced Wednesday.

Staff at the hospital, which originally opened in 1932, provide skilled nursing care to more than 100 residents. Construction of a 72,000-square-foot facility in Smyrna is expected to create 250-300 construction-related jobs.

The $50 million allocation for the new hospital is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, which was signed into law by President Joseph Biden and championed by members of Delaware’s congressional delegation — Sens. Tom Carper and Chris Coons and Rep. Lisa Bunt Rochester.

“The Hospital for the Chronically Ill has provided necessary care to vulnerable Delawareans for years, including throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. But the building itself is more than 90 years old and needs to be replaced,” Gov. Carney said in a prepared statement. “A new, modern hospital in Smyrna will provide the nearly 500 hospital staff members with the tools they need to continue providing quality care to Delawareans who need their support. Thank you to hospital staff for their commitment, and to President Biden and members of our federal delegation for providing the resources we need to make this important investment.”

Lt. Gov. Hall-Long said that Delawareans deserve a health care system that meets the needs of the community.

“As lieutenant governor, and as a nurse, I have seen how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the physical and emotional health, especially in our aging population and their families," she continued. "They deserve the highest quality of care. These investments will go a long way to ensure that happens.”

In a joint statement, Sens. Carper and Coons and Rep. Blunt Rochester said that the hospital has become even more critical during the pandemic.

“DHCI’s facilities need to be modernized in order to safeguard its mission of providing comprehensive nursing home services. We applaud the governor and his decision to use $50 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan to help make that a reality," their statement said. 

“The staff at the Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill has shown an unwavering commitment to its residents, maintaining a five-star rating during this global pandemic,” said Ms. Magarik. “I am excited for the team and residents to move to a new facility that will better support person-centered care with consolidated program services in one building.”

Gov. Carney, Lt. Gov. Hall-Long and members of Delaware’s congressional delegation have announced several projects that will receive ARPA funding.

This week, Gov. Carney announced plans to invest $26.4 million in affordable housing in Wilmington, and $50 million for jobs training programs statewide.

Last month, Gov. Carney announced a $110 million plan to provide universal wired broadband access for all Delaware homes and businesses. Delaware is aiming to become the first state to close every “last mile” with wired, high-speed broadband.