Local mayors weigh in on plans for new Unicoi County Hospital

Clarification: A previous version of this story stated the new hospital lot is 1.8 miles from the former Unicoi County Hospital. On Feb. 5, White clarified it is 1.8 miles from Second Street Industrial site. White also clarified the lot was owned by Rep. Renea Jone's mother. Ballad Health plans to rebuild Unicoi County Hospital, restoring inpatient services lost after Hurricane Helene flooding forced the closure of the former facility. The former hospital was deemed unsafe after floodwaters overwhelmed the facility in September 2024, prompting months of emergency response, recovery efforts and structural assessments. Unicoi Mayor Kevin McInturff said in an interview Wednesday that the new hospital will be located near Interstate 26, pending approval from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA and the state approved $9.8 million for the project last February. "I'd like to thank Rep. Renea Jones for representing our area well and helping to look out for citizens," McInturff said. "The Town of Unicoi will welcome Ballad Health and look forward to working with them." McInturff said the facility is expected to include several inpatient rooms, an emergency room, an ambulance bay and the same testing capabilities as the former hospital. "We'll be glad to have our ambulances freed up," he said. "They won't have to travel to Johnson City or Greenville anymore. It will be a full facility. It's just a plus-plus all around." McInturff said construction is expected to take 18 to 24 months once FEMA approves the land. Erwin Mayor Glenn White said Unicoi was ultimately the best option for rebuilding the hospital due to land availability. "We're going to build at Rocky Bottom Road at the lot behind the Unicoi Walmart," White said. "It will be the same kind of hospital with the same services and capacity." White said the project will cost Ballad Health about $44 million and is expected to open by late 2027. He said Rep. Renea Jones sold 14 acres to Ballad Health for $1.2 million for the hospital site. "The lot is about 14 acres and just 1.8 miles from the south end of town," White said. "When I talked to Eric Deaton (Ballad Chief Operating Officer), there was really no place to rebuild in Erwin. The main goal was to just have a hospital in Unicoi County again." White said multiple sites were considered before the final location was chosen. "We looked at several places in Erwin," he said. "We were considering the industrial area off Second Street, but it was determined that the railroad beside the lot would interfere with testing, like for CT scans." Other local officials weighed in on the new construction in a Wednesday press release from Ballad Health. "This hospital is more than a building – it is a lifeline for families in Unicoi County and the surrounding area," Unicoi County Mayor Garland "Bubba" Evely said. "Today's announcement marks meaningful progress in our recovery after Hurricane Helene, bringing critical healthcare services closer to where people live and work while strengthening the county's ability to respond in emergencies." State officials said in the release that they are grateful for Ballad Health's commitment to the county. "The rebuilding of Unicoi County Hospital is critical to the long-term health and stability of our community," said Rep. Renea Jones of Tennessee's Fourth District. "I appreciate Ballad Health's commitment to restoring local inpatient care and their willingness to work collaboratively with local, state and federal partners to make this possible." "Unicoi County Hospital plays a vital role in ensuring people in East Tennessee have access to timely, high-quality healthcare close to home," said State Sen. Steve Southerland of Tennessee's Ninth District. "In rural communities like ours, a hospital is not only essential for medical care – it supports emergency response, economic stability and the overall well-being of the region. I am grateful for Ballad Health's commitment to rebuilding and their focus on working with partners at every level to restore this critical resource for the people of Unicoi County."