WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. — Crittenden Regional Hospital could reopen thanks to a new proposal on the table.
The hospital blamed years of debt and two crippling fires for the shutdown last year.
Yellow tape remained wrapped around much of the hospital Wednesday, and people who live nearby hope the new proposal will help tear it down.
“Yay! I was excited because it’s good to have a– every community needs a hospital,” Deborah Tucker, a former employee at Crittenden Regional, said.
To say Tucker was happy about the possibility of Crittenden Regional reopening is an understatement.
The West Memphian worked at the hospital for nearly 14 years, but lost her job when her employer went bankrupt.
“It was devastating because I mean it meant a lot to the community and, of course, it meant a lot to me,” Tucker said.
Crittenden County officials are in negotiations with Ameris Health.
The Nashville-based company is proposing a $15,000,000 investment.
“It would mean a whole lot. (We) won’t have to go to Memphis or Jonesboro,” Deloris Anderson said.
However, Anderson could still be forced to cross the bridge into Memphis if taxpayers do not dig into their own pockets.
The company’s main stipulation for reopening is that taxpayers in the county approve a one percent sales tax for five years.
“Yeah it concerns me,” Anderson said. “It raises your eyebrow because you really don’t know.”
Anderson told WREG she was mostly worried because that is the same tax voters approved last year.
The tax, which has since been suspended, did not do enough to keep Crittenden Regional open.
“For the most part, people have been without a hospital. So I can see them really wanting it back,” Tucker said.
Crittenden County Judge Woody Wheeless said if this tax is approved, the money will go directly to the county this time around.
The hospital would be required to submit invoices before the funds are dispersed.
“That would be great because you would know exactly where the money (is) going,” Anderson said.
Judge Wheeless told WREG that before the process can continue moving forward, the county would have to clear up $7 million in debt.
