Contracts granted for new Nome hospital

NOME - The Indian Health Service has awarded a $91 million contract for construction of the new Norton Sound Regional Hospital in Nome.

The service announced Friday the contract was awarded to Inuit-NCI, JV, an undertaking between Inuit Services, Inc., and Neeser Construction Inc., of Anchorage.

The new 150,000 square-foot building will replace a 61-year-old hospital. It will be owned and operated by Norton Sound Health Corp., a tribally owned, nonprofit organization.

More than 100 construction workers will be employed on the hospital that should be completed in 2012.

The $91 million was provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.