An updated timeline for completion has Fentress County’s standalone ER opening its doors by the end of April.

County Executive Jimmy Johnson said they had originally hoped to open in March, but delays in construction and getting materials pushed the date back. He said they do not foresee any more obstacles.

“It’s been a long time waiting on it I know but it’s going to be here in the next few months,” Johnson said. “But it’s going to be a really big asset to our county. It’s going to keep people from having to travel out to go to the ER.”

Johnson said they are almost closed out on the construction process and will soon be putting in the equipment. He said as far as he knows, they have a delivery date for the final order of equipment.

Johnson said as of right now, they are at the beginning of the hiring process to staff the ER. He said he will meet with UT Med representatives to set up some sort of job fair in the next couple of weeks.