LEE COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) — The Lee County Development Authority took a major step forward, confirming it is in the final stages of financing for a new medical center.

Officials said they expect to break ground on the highly anticipated facility in the first quarter of 2027. Local leaders said the new medical center will not only directly serve the local community but also act as a key healthcare partner to all existing medical providers in the region.

This milestone comes after a decade of significant roadblocks. First introduced in June 2016, the project faced years of delays, primarily due to Georgia’s strict Certificate of Need (CON) healthcare permit rules, legal contests from regional healthcare competitors and the initial lack of an operator. The momentum shifted in early 2024 when state lawmakers loosened healthcare licensing regulations, and local boards officially voted to revive the development.

With financing now nearing completion, county leaders said they are closer than ever to turning the long-awaited project into a reality.

Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital officials released the following statement Aug. 7 about the potential new medical center:

“Phoebe’s focus remains the same today as it did 10 years ago when plans for a hospital in Lee County were first announced. We are building on our 115-year foundation of service to southwest Georgia by expanding access to quality care, investing in comprehensive health services and leading innovative workforce development initiatives.”

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