Ballad Health acquires land, announces groundbreaking for new Unicoi County Hospital

Ballad Health has officially acquired the property that will become the future home of the new Unicoi County Hospital, marking a major milestone in its commitment to restoring inpatient care for the community. The property acquisition clears the way for construction to begin on the replacement hospital, which will replace the previous facility that was rendered unsafe after catastrophic flooding caused by Hurricane Helene in September 2024.

Ballad Health also announced it will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility on Wednesday, Aug. 19, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the hospital site near Interstate 26 off Zane Whitson Drive in Erwin, behind the Tinker Road Walmart. A community picnic will immediately follow from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The event is open to community members, local leaders and project partners.

“This is an important step forward for healthcare in Unicoi County,” said Lisa Carter, RN, president of Ballad Health’s Southern Region. “Closing on this land allows us to move from planning to building, and we are excited to bring the community together in August to celebrate the start of construction.”

The new hospital is expected to feature an emergency department, 10 inpatient beds and outpatient services designed to meet the community’s healthcare needs. Construction is expected to take approximately 18-24 months.

“We remain committed to ensuring the people of Unicoi County have access to high-quality, local healthcare,” Carter said. “This project reflects that promise, and we are grateful for the continued support of community members and leaders who have helped us reach this point.”