Two major long-term care operators are investing in fresh nursing home infrastructure across Kentucky and West Virginia, targeting regional bottlenecks in post-acute care capacity. The capital deployment pairs large-scale commercial expansion with a public-university partnership designed to untangle clogged hospital discharge pipelines.
Building a 105-Bed Joint Venture in Lexington
Signature HealthCARE and the University of Kentucky are teaming up to develop and operate a 105-bed nursing home on the university’s Hamburg East campus. The University of Kentucky Board of Trustees approved the joint venture on October 23, aiming to expand access to skilled nursing services while improving patient flow, care coordination, and clinical outcomes.
Limited skilled nursing capacity in Lexington has made access difficult for post-acute care placements. Rising demand for advanced and specialty care across the state reflects a broader national trend of increasing patient acuity.
This initiative builds on a public-private partnership already in motion since April to construct an 80,000-square-foot medical facility on the same campus. That wider development combines skilled nursing care, outpatient clinical space, and supporting infrastructure.
“This partnership will give more Kentuckians access to that care and give families a trusted place to turn during an uncertain time,” Signature HealthCARE President and CEO Joe Steier said in a statement. “That is why we are building this with UK HealthCare: to help more people move forward with their lives.”
UK HealthCare operates the hospitals and clinics of the University of Kentucky, backed by more than 10,000 healthcare professionals providing advanced subspecialty care alongside academic research.
Governance Structure and Workforce Integration
A 10-member board of governors will oversee the new joint venture, featuring six university appointees and four Signature representatives. Wholly owned university affiliate Beyond Blue Corp. will hold a 60% ownership stake in the facility.
Meanwhile, Signature affiliate Commonwealth Regional Skilled Nursing Holdings will hold the remaining 40% stake and manage day-to-day operations at the property. The university will provide clinical leadership and director services while coordinating vendor purchasing from affiliates of both organizations.
Beyond patient care beds, the partnership places a heavy emphasis on workforce development and educational opportunities for clinical trainees.
Majestic Care Commits $50 Million Across West Virginia
To the north, Indiana-based Majestic Care is investing $50 million to construct three new nursing homes in West Virginia as part of an $80 million total state investment initiative. The new facilities will add 311 beds across Charleston, Morgantown, and Fairmont, with all three locations scheduled to open in 2028.
“West Virginia is an important part of Majestic Care’s future, and these new communities will help us better serve residents and families,” Majestic Care CEO Paul Pruitt said in a statement. “We want to create environments that strengthen the care our teams provide every day, giving Care Team members the training, space and resources they need to perform at their best.”
Each new facility will span approximately 52,000 square feet, incorporating dedicated clinical and rehabilitation spaces, outdoor wellness areas, and specialized staff training zones. Majestic Care plans to host groundbreaking ceremonies for each of the new nursing homes.
