Hospitals in North Dakota's largest cities have undertaken or planned hundreds of millions in new construction projects in recent years, according to an article on the InForum website.
Sanford Health's new medical center in Fargo, a $494 million project, is opening next year. Trinity Health in Minot is considering a new $250 million medical park.
A September report from Fitch Ratings found 53 percent of hospitals expect capital spending to increase over the next five years, up from 45 percent that said the same thing in 2012.
"I think what you're seeing is years of not doing anything," said Jerry Jurena, president of the North Dakota Hospital Association. "I think it's just time is catching up with the hospital industry."