An additional $5 million annual payroll and a boost of $500,000-plus in ad valorem taxes will be part of the economic fallout of a new $52 million hospital.

And that’s just with the onset of phase one, hospital spokesman Mark Roberts said Monday.

Muskogee Community Hospital is expected to be completed within 15 months. It will employ more than 100 people initially and more later, Roberts said.

“It will create some higher paying jobs,” said Mike Leonard, chairman of the board of First National Bank of Muskogee. “Some of those (employees) will be buying homes here. All of it is going to be a welcome shot in the arm for our economy.”

The facility initially will have 45 private rooms and four operating rooms. The $52 million first phase is just the core facility, said Mark Roberts, and investor and spokesman for the 25 physicians who are investors in the new project.

“This is the greatest thing that could ever happen to a community our size,” said longtime Muskogee surgeon Dr. Timothy Robison, a partner in the new hospital.

“This is Muskogee’s day — an opportunity for Muskogee to grow, to seize the day.”

Roberts, a longtime Bartlesville businessman, and Robison announced in 2004 they intended to build the facility, partnering with a group of Muskogee doctors. It’s been in the planning stage for four years.

There are doctors who aren’t investors in the hospital also committed to practice at the new facility, Roberts said.

“It’s all about being able to provide better heath care — competition brings better health care because it brings choice,” Roberts said.

“We are going to do our very best to do the best we can do — every day,” Robison said. “This is a huge opportunity for Muskogee. I just hope people take it for the opportunity it is.”

The second phase of the project will be a medical office building. Other phases will be added as the need arises, Roberts said Monday. The core facility is designed so that additions can be made easily, he said.

“It will be a big impact on the area,” Roberts said.