RUMFORD – Ledgewood Construction of Portland has been chosen as general contractor for Rumford Hospital’s $5.8 million expansion and renovation project.

Hospital Chief Executive Officer John Welsh said on Thursday that the firm was selected because of previous work it had done at the hospital, including construction of the new entrance and ambulatory unit and renovation of the emergency room.

Welsh announced the name of the general contractor during a visit by U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud, D-Maine. Michaud has been a supporter of the hospital and played a role in securing nearly $400,000 for an air-conditioning system and emergency generator for the hospital. He was present at the groundbreaking for the previous phase of the hospital’s expansion and renovation project. He is searching for other funding sources that could support Rumford Hospital, Welsh said.

“It’s important to have good quality health care. I’ve always been a supporter of rural hospitals,” Michaud said.

“We’ve been appreciative of his leadership to help us obtain funding and for his continued support of rural hospitals,” Welsh said.

Following a tour of the hospital, Michaud was interviewed by Selectwoman Jolene Lovejoy on veteran and economic development issues for the local access channel program, River Valley Connections, then traveled to Lewiston where he was to present veterans medals.

Welsh said the third and final phase of the multi-year hospital project includes nearly 16,000-square-feet of new construction, and renovation of nearly 30,000-square-feet of space.

When complete, patients will have private rooms with baths and showers, the nursing unit will be consolidated, and other modifications will include consolidation of three in-patient units.

Welsh said groundbreaking is tentatively scheduled for June with a completion date set for June 2008.

The hospital, built shortly after the turn of the 20th century then added to in the 1960s, began a three-phase renovation and construction project after residents said they wanted to keep the hospital in-town rather than moving to a new facility outside of the village.