UNICOI, Tenn. (WCYB) — Ballad Health will build a new hospital in the town of Unicoi, according to Mayor Kevin Kevin McInturff.
This comes after the Unicoi County Hospital in Erwin was destroyed by Helene.
McInturff told News 5 that the hospital will be built behind the Walmart off exit 34.
Ballad said in a statement that construction is expected to begin this spring and will take roughly two years to complete.
We’ll have more information coming up Wednesday on News 5.
Below are quotes from various officials.
“Walking through that hospital in the days after Helene is something I will never forget,” Ballad Health Chief Operating Officer Eric Deaton said. “I saw heartbreak – but I also saw extraordinary courage and resilience. The people of Unicoi County have carried themselves with strength and grace, and it is an honor to move forward by rebuilding a facility that will provide the care they deserve. Rebuilding Unicoi County Hospital is about more than bricks and mortar; it’s about keeping care close to home for people who have been through so much. We’re committed to transparency throughout this process and will share updates as design work continues and construction begins with an overall goal to bring back the essential services this community relied on for decades.”
“Rebuilding this hospital will require the same kind of partnership that sustained our communities through the storm itself,” Ballad CEO Alan Levine said. “We are committed to working closely with local leaders, state partners and our federal delegation to ensure this hospital is rebuilt thoughtfully, resiliently and in a way that meets the long-term healthcare needs of this region. This is not something any one organization can do alone, and we are grateful for the collaboration and shared resolve it will take to restore this critical access point for care.”
State Sen. Steve Southerland of Tennessee’s Ninth District supported today’s announcement, adding, “Unicoi County Hospital plays a vital role in ensuring people in East Tennessee have access to timely, high-quality healthcare close to home. 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.”
Rep. Renea Jones of Tennessee’s Fourth District said, “The rebuilding of Unicoi County Hospital is critical to the long-term health and stability of our community. 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 Mayor Garland “Bubba” Evely added, “This hospital is more than a building – it is a lifeline for families in Unicoi County and the surrounding area. 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.”
“We are proud that the Town of Unicoi will be home to the next chapter of Unicoi County Hospital,” said McInturff said in a statement. “I appreciate Ballad Health’s commitment to collaboration and resilience, and we look forward to working together with county, state and federal partners to ensure this hospital serves our community well for generations to come.”
Mayor Glenn White of the Town of Erwin also shared his support for the project, saying, “While the original hospital was located in the Town of Erwin, what matters most is that Unicoi County continues to have strong access to inpatient care. Ballad Health kept its word, and that means a great deal to our community. The hospital will be accessible to everyone, and I appreciate the health system’s commitment to doing what is right for the entire county.”