The UNC Health and Duke Health systems are partnering together to create North Carolina’s Children’s Health campus.

A partnership between UNC Health and Duke Health is finalizing a deal to buy at least 200 acres in Apex — a critical step in its plans to build the state’s first standalone children’s hospital, people familiar with the negotiations told WRAL News.

APEX, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina’s first standalone children’s hospital will be built in a bedroom community near the state capital, the project’s health systems announced Thursday, creating a campus estimated to bring 8,000 jobs to the area.