Special to BBNN
A feasibility study of the proposed Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences, requested by the Alabama Legislature last year, has been publicly released Monday. The study, which surveyed seven Alabama cities, concluded Demopolis is the best location for the residential high school.
“Demopolis… stands out due to its exceptional enthusiasm, unwavering motivation, secured funding, strategically chosen site location, potential for a comprehensive hospital partnership, and alignment with the vision outlined in the funding bill,” reads the study led by Tripp Umbach, a firm that has completed more than 100 feasibility studies for medical and health science programs in the United States and across the globe.
Last week, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey mentioned the feasibility study in her annual State of the State Address when she called on members of the Legislature to approve the school.
“The feasibility report commissioned by the Legislature last year has once again validated Demopolis as the ideal location for this important school – folks, let’s get this important project done,” Ivey said.
The ASHS Foundation, which announced last month a $26.4 million gift from Bloomberg Philanthropies to help fund the school, has also gained financial commitments from other groups across the state of Alabama. That work was cited in the feasibility study as one of the many reasons Demopolis is the best location for the school.
“Obviously we agree with the results of this study, and we have had a front-row seat to seeing the entire Demopolis community support this school,” said Rob Pearson, chairman of the ASHS Foundation. “When you add up the support we’ve received, not only from Gov. Ivey and members of the Alabama Legislature, but from national organizations like Bloomberg Philanthropies, we have no doubt that Demopolis is the most feasible location to host a statewide, residential high school. And we’re committed to continuing our work as a foundation to supporting the healthcare workforce needs of Alabama through this school.”