Mark your calendar: July 23 could be the day that shapes Clarksville’s healthcare future for the next generation.

The Tennessee Health Facilities Commission will hold a public hearing this Wednesday to consider the Certificate of Need applications for new hospital development in Montgomery County. This isn’t just another government meeting, it’s your chance to directly influence a decision that will affect where your family receives emergency care, where your children are born, and how accessible healthcare will be for every resident of our rapidly growing community.

What’s at stake

Multiple healthcare organizations are seeking approval to build new hospitals in Clarksville, representing over $250 million in potential investment and hundreds of new healthcare jobs. But here’s what many residents don’t understand: These hospitals aren’t guaranteed to be built just because they’ve been announced. Each proposal must receive formal approval from the state through Tennessee’s Certificate of Need process.

The timing couldn’t be more critical. UT-Knoxville projects Montgomery County will surpass 300,000 residents by 2030, and we’re about to become Tennessee’s fourth largest city, yet we have the worst hospital capacity among major counties.

Wednesday’s hearing isn’t just about approving new hospitals; it’s about ensuring Tennessee’s fastest-growing community has the healthcare foundation necessary to support continued prosperity.

Public hearing: Your opportunity to be heard

  • When: Wednesday, July 23. Call to Order starts at 9 a.m. Montgomery County CON expected to start around 10:30 a.m.
  • Where: Tennessee Health Facilities Commission, Cordell Hull State Legislative Building, Senate Hearing Room 1
  • What: Public testimony on Certificate of Need applications
  • Your role: Community members can provide testimony supporting or opposing the applications or email a letter of support to HSDA.Staff@tn.gov
  • Meeting agenda: Online at this agenda site
  • Livestream the hearing: Online at this livestream site on Wednesday

During the hearing, commissioners will hear from hospital applicants, review staff analysis, and, most importantly, listen to community input. This is your direct line to the decision-makers who will determine whether Clarksville gets the healthcare infrastructure our growth demands.

Why community input matters

State commissioners specifically seek community voices because local residents understand healthcare needs that statistics can’t capture. Your testimony provides real-world perspective on:

  • Emergency room wait times and capacity constraints
  • Travel distances for specialized care
  • Economic impact on families and businesses
  • Quality of life factors affecting community growth
  • Specific healthcare needs in our region

The commissioners making this decision need to hear from the people who will actually use these hospitals: working families, military personnel, seniors, parents, and business owners who understand how healthcare access affects everything from workforce recruitment to family decisions about staying in Clarksville.

Understanding the stakes

If the Certificate of Need applications are denied, those hospitals simply won’t be built. The applicants would face expensive and time-consuming appeals processes, and many healthcare projects never recover from initial denials. This hearing represents the best, and possibly only, opportunity to secure the healthcare infrastructure our community needs.

Bottom line

Montgomery County has done its part. We’ve delivered unprecedented economic growth, job creation and population expansion. We’ve become a regional economic hub and a model for Tennessee communities. Now we need healthcare infrastructure to match our success.

Wednesday’s hearing is your chance to ensure that happens. The commissioners making this decision need to hear from you because, ultimately, they’re not just approving hospitals. They’re determining whether Tennessee’s fourth largest city will have the healthcare infrastructure necessary to continue growing, attracting businesses, and serving families.