Veterans may benefit from the closing of Copper Basin Medical Center (CBMC) if plans presented to the Polk County Commission become reality.
Gary Hunt told commissioners he wants to buy the hospital as part of a plan to bring in a non-profit veterans operation.
Hunt and Denny Reagan spoke to the commissions Thursday, January 21, at their regular meeting in Benton.
Hunt, representing an organization called JustBeGreen, said, “We have a lot of people behind us,” when asked about his financing. He said putting the deal together would take about 120 days.
That plan involves CBMC and its adjoining buildings and the old Ducktown Elementary School, which is owned by the First Fraction Township. Hunt said he has not yet met with the full Township commission.
According to the group’s website, the goal is a “non-profit hospital and Veterans housing complex for 300+ veterans in the City of Ducktown, Tn.”
Reagan said the goal is to help Veterans in need, “get a home, get a job.”
In addition, Hunt promised that area residents would have access to an emergency room. “You will be able to go to the ER for critical care,” he said.
Having introduced Hunt, County Executive Robby Hatcher told the commissioners, “It’s a hope.”
Commissioner Debbie Davis pointed out there have been other hopes for the sale of CBMC, to which Reagan immediately responded, “They’ve not been around a year like we have.”
He told how the group began looking at the property and have been working in Ducktown.
No decisions were made at the meeting as the JustBeGreen representatives said they would continue making necessary contacts in order to make the project a reality.