Officials with Northeast Georgia Health Systems last week confirmed the hospital has purchased a building on Ga. 400 with plans to expand medical services in Dawson County.
"Yes, Northeast Georgia Health System has purchased the property for future expansion, but we have no definite plans or timeline for the expansion," said Practice Administrator Jo Brewer.
"We are extremely pleased with the reception our services at Medical Plaza 400 have received in the community since we opened in April 2013 and are excited about the ability to grow with the future needs of this community."
The hospital system bought the vacant restaurant adjacent to Medical Plaza 400 in mid-March.
Lorena's Food and Spirits, which closed on Dec. 31, formerly occupied the more than 8,100 square foot building at 22 Prestige Lane.
According to Dawson County tax records, the purchase price was $825,000.
"We are consistently impressed by the ingenuity of our members," said Dawson County Chamber of Commerce President Christie Haynes. "As the needs of our community continue to grow and expand, we are encouraged to see new purpose brought to existing structures."
With more than 25,000 square feet, services currently include urgent care, imaging, outpatient labs, sports medicine and numerous specialty physicians.
"We are grateful for the investment and vision that Northeast Georgia Health System brings to our community and look forward to their continued partnership with our community," Haynes said.
The Development Authority of Dawson County began working on an initiative several years ago to attract new medical services to the community.
"The development authority has worked in partnership with Northeast Georgia for quite some time on the existing facility and future expansion," said Charlie Auvermann, executive director of the authority. "We are extremely pleased with their commitment to Dawson County and the success that they've had.
"We look forward to working in close cooperation with them on any future developments that suit their growth strategy."