Montgomery Memorial Groundbreaking Scheduled for March 25, 2026

TROY, N.C. - As construction gets underway on the new Montgomery Memorial Hospital, FirstHealth invites the public on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, for a special groundbreaking event.

The groundbreaking event will serve as a special moment to look ahead as FirstHealth reaffirms its commitment to sustaining and strengthening rural health care in Montgomery County.

"We are looking forward to hosting the community on March 25 as we celebrate what's to come on the Montgomery Memorial campus," said Mickey W. Foster, MHA, chief executive officer for FirstHealth.

"So many people have worked tirelessly to get us to this place and we look forward to seeing the expanded campus transform as we build a replacement hospital.

A Major Investment in Rural Health Care

The $43.2 million project will replace the existing hospital with a modern, efficient 40,000-square-foot facility designed to meet the community's evolving health care needs.

The new hospital will include inpatient beds, emergency room bays, a procedure room and space to continue offering all current inpatient, outpatient and observation services.

Groundbreaking Details and Construction Timeline

The March 25 groundbreaking will begin at noon. Parking is available off Byrd Street in the lower lot of the current hospital.

The new hospital is being built at 543 Wood Street on the site of the former FirstHealth Community Health building, maintaining close proximity to Montgomery Memorial's medical office building. This location allows for future expansion and preserves the hospital's presence in the heart of the county.

Construction is expected to be complete by June 2027. By November 2027, abatement and demolition of the existing hospital are anticipated to be complete.

Building on a Legacy of Rural Health Care in Montgomery County

Montgomery Memorial has long played a vital role in serving Montgomery County. The hospital became part of the FirstHealth system in 1995 after years of struggle to stay financially viable, a common symptom among independent rural hospitals.

The hospital earned designation as a Critical Access Hospital in 1999, a step that provided stability for rural health care delivery in the county. Despite these milestones, the aging facility has required costly upkeep, prompting the need for a reimagined approach.

"Replacing Montgomery Memorial Hospital is not just about bricks and mortar-it's about investing in the future of rural health care at a time when many systems are having to close rural hospitals," said Kerry Herbine, FACHE, president of the western region and administrator of Montgomery Memorial Hospital.

"The new hospital will strengthen our ability to provide excellent, accessible care while creating a foundation for growth in primary and specialty services as our community's needs expand."