Ballad Health announced plans to rebuild Unicoi County Hospital in Erwin, Tennessee, restoring inpatient care to a community that has been recovering since the flooding caused by Hurricane Helene.
The previous Unicoi County Hospital was deemed unsafe after floodwaters overwhelmed the facility in September 2024, leading to months of emergency response, recovery work and structural assessments.
The new hospital will be located in the Town of Unicoi, with the land purchase expected to be finalized in February 2026. Ballad Health plans to build a hospital with a similar layout to the previous facility, including inpatient beds and comprehensive outpatient services provided by Ballad Health Medical Associates. The new location will offer improved access for emergency services and patients and sits within a growing economic corridor in the county.
To ensure continuity of care, the Urgent Care in Erwin will remain open throughout construction of the hospital. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2026 and will take roughly two years to complete. Plans for a community celebration to recognize the groundbreaking of the facility will be forthcoming.
