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Groundbreaking Ceremony for Chestnut Ridge Facility in Blowing Rock Held Tuesday Atop Beautiful Meadow

Blowing Rock Mayor J.B. Lawrence and other town leaders participate in the groundbreaking ceremony of Chestnut Ridge.
Blowing Rock Mayor J.B. Lawrence and other town leaders participate in the groundbreaking ceremony of Chestnut Ridge. Photos by Jesse Wood

By Jesse Wood

June 24, 2014. State officials, Watauga County and Blowing Rock leaders and representatives of Appalachian Regional Healthcare System participated in the groundbreaking of Chestnut Ridge at Blowing Rock on Tuesday afternoon.

Chestnut Ridge will offer post-acute care, which includes short- and long-term rehabilitative services, skilled nursing care, memory care support, and palliative care. Chestnut Ridge will feature a two-story structure that includes private and semi-private bedrooms, kitchens, dining areas, living areas and more – all amidst a neighborhood concept, according to Chestnut Ridge at Blowing Rock website.

Those speaking at the ceremony included ARHS Senior Vice President Rob Hudspeth; ARHS CEO Richard Sparks; N.C. Secretary of Transportation Tony Tata; Blowing Rock Mayor J.B. Lawrence; Chair of the Chestnut Ridge Capital Campaign Committee Jerry Hutchens; and Blowing Rock resident Harriet Davant.

Tata mentioned the Gov. Pat McCrory signed him on in 2013 to leverage infrastructure to create and maintain jobs – something Tata said is exactly what this Chestnut Ridge project will do.

In a past presentation to governmental officials, ARHS representatives noted that Chestnut Ridge would save 110 full-time jobs that will relocate from the existing Blowing Rock Hospital, create 59 new jobs with a grant from the N.C. Rural Center and 20 to 40 new positions in retail pharmacy and a primary care clinic. It was also noted that 200-plus jobs were possible with the future growth of the continuing care retirement community, specialty medical practices and ancillary services providers.

ARHS thanked the following organizations for their support and roles in the ongoing development of this project:

  • N.C. Department of Transportation
  • Economic Development Administration
  • N.C. Department of Commerce
  • N.C. Rural Center for Economic Development
  • Appalachian Regional Commission
  • Appalachian State University
  • Blowing Rock Chamber
  • Town of Blowing Rock
  • Criterion Healthcare
  • Hickory Construction Company
  • High Country Council of Governments
  • Martin-McGill, Inc.
  • McGill Associates
  • RPA Design, PC
  • The Louis Berger Group

Check back for more words on the ceremony. For now, see photos of the groundbreaking ceremony below.

 

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ARHS Senior Vice President Rod Hudspeth introduces Chair of the Chestnut Ridge Capital Campaign Committee Jerry Hutchens.
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Members of the Blowing Rock Fashion Club have raised money for this project for some three decades.
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Many supporters of this project participated in the groundbreaking on Tuesday.
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Blowing Rock resident Harriet Davant speaks about her late husband and physician Charles Davant at the groundbreaking ceremony.
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The Davant Family stand up to be recognized by those in attendance.
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Many people gathered atop the meadow minutes from downtown Blowing Rock that will station the Chestnut Ridge post-acute care facility.
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Blowing Rock Mayor J.B. Lawrence said the future of healthcare in Blowing Rock was “really bright” because of the Chestnut Ridge development.
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ARHS CEO Richard Sparks introduces N.C. Secretary of Transportation Tony Tata, who has been instrumental in securing funding for access to the Chestnut Ridge facility.
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Local leaders, community members and officials participate in the ceremonial shoveling.
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Watauga County Board of Commissioner Chair Nathan Miller (third from right) and his father Watauga County Schools Attorney Paul Miller (third from left) were among those participating in the ceremonial shoveling.
Blowing Rock Mayor J.B. Lawrence and other town leaders participate in the groundbreaking ceremony of Chestnut Ridge.
Blowing Rock Mayor J.B. Lawrence and other town leaders participate in the groundbreaking ceremony of Chestnut Ridge.
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As Blowing Rock Mayor J.B. Lawrence said of the meadow that will house the Chestnut Ridge facility: “What a beautiful setting.”
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Local leaders, community members and officials participate in the ceremonial shoveling.
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Local leaders, community members and officials participate in the ceremonial shoveling.
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Local leaders, community members and officials participate in the ceremonial shoveling.