Mount Nittany spends $6.28M on property near Bellefonte, but is quiet on details
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- Mount Nittany Health bought 15.7 acres near Bellefonte for $6.28 million.
- The health system has not disclosed specific plans for the undeveloped property.
- Regional health providers have invested nearly $564 million in Centre County.
Mount Nittany Health purchased 15.7 acres near the booming Benner Pike corridor for $6.28 million in December, signaling potential expansion or future health care development in the Bellefonte area.
But the health system did not detail its plans for the undeveloped property along Rishel Hill Road when reached Tuesday by the Centre Daily Times. The land is adjacent to Rutter’s and the Centre County Correctional Facility in Benner Township.
“Mount Nittany Health is committed to investing in the health and well-being of our community,” the health system said in a statement. “For more than 120 years, we have grown to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the Centre region. The recent land acquisition reflects our dedication to planning for the future, and we look forward to communicating at the appropriate time in the future.”
The land is about half the size of the property that’s home to Mount Nittany Medical Center and is more than four times the size of the new Penn Highland State College.
The deed was signed Dec. 16 by Mount Nittany Health President and CEO Kathleen L. Rhine and local real estate developer Bob Poole. The property was last sold in July 2013 for $300,000.
Chris Schnure, Centre County’s subdivison and land development planner, and Bener Township Secretary Sharon Royer each said they are unsure of Mount Nittany of plans.
The purchase came at a time of significant expansion for Mount Nittany.
Construction on its new $350 million patient tower is ongoing. The 10-story, 300,000-square-foot space is set to open by December 2026 and will include 168 private patient rooms, outpatient services and a parking deck.
The health system also opened in September a new $90 million, 125,000-square-foot outpatient center near Toftrees. The facility brought together nine relocated and two new practices. It sits on 20 acres.
Mount Nittany also opened its opened first walk-in clinic in May 2024 at 2051 S. Atherton St.
Other health care providers have poured significant money into Centre County as well.
Geisinger spent $15.5 million to construct a new medical clinic on about six acres near Bellefonte and another $12 million to expand at Grays Woods. Penn Highlands’ new hospital cost about $90 million.
Put together, the three health systems have committed nearly $564 million to Centre County.
This story was originally published June 25, 2025 at 5:40 AM.