JACKSONVILLE, Ala. (WBMA) — A long-planned emergency department project in Jacksonville is moving forward after receiving final state approval, according to RMC Health System.
In an update released this week, RMC announced that representatives met with the Alabama Certificate of Need Board on April 15 and secured final authorization for the freestanding emergency department. The approval “clearing the way for groundbreaking and construction to begin immediately.”
The project is a partnership between RMC Health System, Jacksonville State University, the City of Jacksonville, and a private developer. It was first announced in 2025 as part of an effort to bring emergency services back to the area.
“This is a major milestone,” RMC CEO Keith Parrott said in the release. “With this approval, we are well-positioned to move into the next phase of development. This project reflects our continued investment in expanding access to emergency care and supporting the long-term health of our region.”
The facility is expected to include 11 emergency department beds, including a trauma bay, along with imaging services and a new Jacksonville State University student health center.
City leaders say the project is a significant step forward for the community.
“The freestanding emergency room project is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together with a shared vision,” Jacksonville Mayor Mark Jones said. “This addition to our city will save lives, and we’re excited to reach another milestone toward its completion.”
The development comes after years of planning and follows the closure of RMC Jacksonville Hospital in 2018, which left the city without a local emergency department. Since then, patients have had to travel to surrounding communities for emergency care.
The new facility is designed to restore those services and improve response times for residents, students, and visitors in northern Calhoun County. Officials say the location on Jacksonville State’s campus will also provide easier access to care for thousands of students and staff.
Previous reporting by ABC 33/40 noted the project will also help ease demand on nearby hospitals and provide faster emergency response when minutes matter.
Officials say they will continue to provide updates as construction moves forward.