“We’re Bullish On Faribault.”

Allina Health C-E-O Dan Mcginty asked why his company would want to make an over 30 million dollar investment in Faribault health care said, "We're bullish on Faribault." McGinty made the comment Thursday night during a community forum concerning the proposed affiliation agreement between Allina and District One Hospital.  District One C-E-O Steve Pribyl noted the Hospital Board is anticipated to take action on the proposal during their meeting Tuesday.  If the agreement is proposed then all assets, liabilities and operations would be turned over to Allina beginning January 1, 2015 for one dollar at closing.  In exchange Allina agrees to invest a total of 35.5 million including 28.1 million in capital expenditures including approximately 11 million for a new emergency room and new operating rooms at the Faribault hospital.  Under the agreement a new Board of Trustees would appointed and the current District One Hospital Board would monitor the affiliation agreement.  Citizens concerned about the future of the Johnston Hall building which is not addressed in the agreement lobbied Mcginty at the forum for a meeting to discuss the  future of the building on the National Register of Historic Places.  Mcginty agreed to have a meeting and said he had some ideas he'd like to share about it's future use.  Pribyl assured those in attendance the unique availability in Faribault of Mayo and Allina medical expertise will continue.  He noted Mayo has been meeting with Allina and District One to see how they can work together in the future.