With Brandywine Hospital having closed at the end of business yesterday, Jan. 31, atop the Jennersville Hospital exit last month, the activity level of those seeking to ensure healthcare in rural Chester County is reaching a fever pitch. Harold Brubaker, The Philadelphia Inquirer, reported entry of yet another player in the business deals: Chicago investment bank Juniper Advisory.

Last week, the Chester County Commissioners approved a $250,000 contract with Juniper Advisory “to evaluate potential options for the provision of acute care, emergent, and behavioral health services in Chester County.”

The contract runs through the end of the year and gives the commissioners “the ability to vet any potential purchasers or operators of those hospitals,” said Marian Moskowitz. “We’re going to try to make something happen there.”

Brandywine Hospital could also receive around $1.25 million in aid through a new measure passed in Harrisburg last week, but it would have to remain open through at least December.

Meanwhile, State Sen. Carolyn Comitta said she would work to make that money available in case a company emerged that would reopen the hospital.

Read more about the plans in The Philadelphia Inquirer.