MARION, Ind. (AP) – A central Indiana hospital says it plans cutting nearly 70 jobs by outsourcing its surgical services operations.

Officials of Marion General Hospital say in a state filing that the layoffs will take place in February and are expected to be permanent. The filing from the hospital doesn't say whether the new contractor will be hiring any of those workers.

Hospital officials said the outsourcing was part of continuing strategic initiatives for the facility in the Grant County city about midway between Indianapolis and Fort Wayne.