NEW CASTLE — The Jameson Health System this morning announced that it is merging with UPMC.

The Jameson Health System includes Jameson Hospital in New Castle. The health system has more than 1,300 employees, 250 physicians and 25 facilities.

This agreement also involves UPMC Horizon with a hospital in Greenville, Mercer County.

This integration will allow the Jameson Health System and UPMC to grow health care services in Lawrence and Mercer counties, and surrounding areas, the announcement said.

UPMC will commit to no fewer than 10 years of service improvements, including physician recruitment, capital improvements, and coordination of clinical programs.

UPMC plans $70 million for the development of facilities and services of the Jameson Health System with at least $15 million earmarked during the next two years.

Steve Warner, Jameson Health System board chairman, said in the announcement, “Our choice to integrate with UPMC is the right one because it will preserve and enhance our ability to provide exceptional health care close to home.

“It’s important to our community that Jameson continues to operate as a not-for-profit system and remains a vital economic driver for our area.”

UPMC has more than 62,000 employees, more than 20 hospitals, and 400 doctors’ offices and outpatient sites.