Standard&Poor's Ratings Services assigned its 'BBB' standard long-term rating to Northern Hospital District of Surry County, N.C.'s $15.11 million series 2008 revenue bonds. At the same time, Standard&Poor's affirmed its 'BBB' underlying rating (SPUR) on the district's $26.8 million series 1999 and 2001 bonds. The rating reflects: A stable and focused management team, which has expanded services and physicians at the hospital to increase volumes and add to the hospital's already strong market position, although there is ongoing concern about outmigration to and competition from Winston-Salem providers; Extremely steady operating profits over the past four years, generating solid debt service coverage; and Adequate balance sheet with appropriate liquidity and debt ratios for the rating category, even
