The governor announced this week that West Virginia is selling its four state-owned long-term care facilities to Marx Development Group for $60 million. The development group’s purchase includes plans to build a minimum of three and up to five new facilities to replace the old ones, according to Eyewitness News. The facilities – located in Preston County (Hopemont Hospital), Raleigh County (Jackie Withrow Hospital), Mason County (Lakin Hospital) and Marion County (John Manchin Sr. Health Care Center) – total more than 500 beds. Governor Morrisey said each of the facilities have operated at a loss and that the state would have had to invest more than $100 million with long-term operating costs had it continued to control the buildings. The governor said most employees will keep their jobs in the sale and rebuilding of the facilities.