FAYETTEVILLE (AP) — Cumberland County officials say a medical residency program at Cape Fear Valley Health System could have a major economic impact for the area.

Campbell University’s medical school is expected to provide most of the residents, The Fayetteville Observer reported.

The program could create about 300 jobs that pay about $50,000 each and about 50 jobs that pay $50,000 to $400,000 each.

The 300 jobs would go to recent medical school graduates serving their residencies at Cape Fear Valley. The other positions would be teachers, mentors and support workers for the program.

Total funding for the medical education program is expected to be more than $30 million a year.

Cape Fear Valley plans to reclassify as a rural hospital so it can start the program. Federal rules set a limit on residency programs in urban hospitals.

County commissioners say the state budget awaiting Gov. Pat McCrory’s signature would provide nearly $8 million for the program. Campbell University is expected to chip in up to $3 million.

Cape Fear Valley is expected to be the main location for Campbell medical students to get their residency training. The program is critical for the medical school, said Britt Davis, a school spokesman.

The first residents would begin working next July.

Most residents go on to practice medicine within 50 miles of where they were trained, Davis said. Cumberland County commissioners hope that will be the case with Cape Fear Valley.

Hospital officials think the program will improve health care and help with a doctor shortage in the region.