Last week, Chattooga County received word that Atrium Health Floyd is planning to build a new free-standing emergency room in Chattooga County.  Atrium Health already operates seven free-standing emergency rooms in rural areas in North Carolina, but this will be the first in Georgia for the company.

On Monday of last week, Atrium Health Floyd submitted a letter to the Georgia Department of Community Health declaring its intent to apply for a certificate of need — a legal document required in order to construct a new health care facility — for a freestanding emergency department to provide that needed care.  Next, they will file for a certificate of need in December. The Georgia Department of Community Health will review the application.

Officials with Atrium Health Floyd have been in conversation with Georgia Governor Brian Kemp about the proposed facility.

In the press release last week announcing the new facility, Atrium Health Floyd said that the emergency room will be built next to the Trion Walmart location.   While Atrium has signed a letter of intent to purchase the large corn field, the property has not been sold as of yet.

The department itself will provide emergency care services 24/7 and include six treatment rooms along with onsite laboratory and imaging services, including X-ray and a computed tomography or CT scanner. In total, the release said the new facility is projected to cost $18.5 million and create 40 new jobs.