U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., announced federal funds on March 12 for a $1.2 million water tower that will serve the 50-bed Riverside Smithfield Hospital slated to open in early 2026.

The funding is included in the 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which President Joe Biden signed into law on March 9. The water tower is one of 11 local projects totaling $13.7 million across southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore.

“I take seriously my responsibility here in Congress to not only scrutinize federal spending but also to direct it where it’s most needed back home,” Kiggans said in a news release. “It’s only right for our hard-earned taxpayer dollars to get returned to our community. I was proud to fight for these important funding requests on behalf of Southeast Virginia and am glad they have now been signed into law. I have no doubt these projects will have a positive impact here in the Hampton Roads community!”

The hospital broke ground last fall. In late February, construction crews began erecting the three-story, 200,000-square-foot hospital’s steel framework. All steel columns should be in place by mid-June, according to hospital President Jessica Macalino.

The nearly 30-acre campus, located at the corner of Benns Grant and Benns Church boulevards, will include a one-story medical office building that’s slated to break ground in the coming weeks and open by early 2025 a year ahead of the hospital. The building will house 40 exam rooms, physical therapy and outpatient services like sports medicine and cardiology.