Altoona Regional Health System is looking for Blair County officials to assist the hospital in making a substantial upgrade to its operations.
 
On Tuesday County Commissioners were asked to approve an agreement that will provide $1 million in state financing to the hospital to upgrade of the Outpatient Center’s electrical system.
 
A linear accelerator for radiation treatment and a heart catheterization machine at the center require the upgrade in power.
 
Altoona Regional is getting $1 million through the Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program for upgrade. The state money will come through a fund from the state Office of Budget. The health system will pony up $1.3 million of its own money for the $2.3 million project.
 
To get the money, the county must sign a cooperation agreement with ABCD for administration of the grant. The county would agree to cover all costs that wouldn’t be eligible for funding, but the county won’t be risking anything because ABCD will agree to cover those expenses.
 
A vote will be take place next week on the matter.