The King Foundation is a family foundation started by the best-selling Bangor author and his wife, who also own the Zone Corporation, which includes radio station WDME in Dover-Foxcroft. The foundation's primary goal is to aid in the support and development of Maine communities.

"One of the primary concerns of the foundation is to ensure that regional healthcare services are available. The Kings certainly know the importance of that from their personal experience. That is part of the motivation for this gift," said Stephanie Leonard, administrator for the King Foundation.

The donation will be used to help finance construction of a 5,500-square-foot addition to the hospital for an Ambulatory Services Unit (ASU), and renovation of 3,000 square feet for Surgical Services, Mammography and Pharmacy.

Mayo plans to begin Phase II of the hospital expansion in the spring of 2003, at a total cost of $1.7 million. The project is being undertaken in response to the strong demand for outpatient healthcare services in the Penquis region. Outpatient services now account for 60% of Mayo's gross revenues, led by a record growth in Surgical Services. Mayo last year completed 2,036 surgical procedures, over 70% of those on an outpatient basis. The new ASU addition will provide Mayo with the capacity to meet that demand now, and in the future.

"This generous donation will go a long way toward making Phase II a reality," said Ralph Gabarro, Mayo Regional CEO. "We are grateful to the Kings for the confidence they have shown in Mayo and in our region's future."

Mayo broke ground in May, 2001, for Phase I of its Capital Campaign. Construction and renovation work is well under way on this $6.3 million project and is scheduled for completion in August. As a result of Phase I, Mayo opened a new, two-story Resource Center in February and is preparing to move into a new Emergency Department addition on May 7. Extensive renovations are scheduled this spring and summer to the hospital's first and second floors, affecting Cardiopulmonary Services, Radiology, Obstetrics, the entry lobby, patient registration and public areas.

Mayo has completed fundraising for Phase I, which has been financed through the Maine Municipal Bond Bank and $475,000 in community contributions. The King Foundation's lead gift kicks off the fundraising effort for Phase II.