Clay Commission Votes Down Incentive For Cumberland River Hospital Company

The Clay County Commission voted against a financial incentive for the company wanting to reopen the Cumberland River Hospital Monday night.

Commissioners voted 6 to 3 against providing $250,000 to Boa Vida. The money would have matched a similar incentive approved by the city of Celina. Commissioner Winton Young voted in favor of the incentive.

“This is the first opportunity that I know of that we have had lately to open the hospital,” Young said. “If we don’t take this opportunity to open the hospital at this time, I don’t have a plan B.”

Commissioner Michael Miller voted against the motion. Miller said his constituents voiced concerns about the company possibly running the hospital not having the funds to purchase the facility at this time.

“Why would we put this money in right now when they don’t have their money lined up,” Miller said. “So that’s kind of the problem from my community from the people I have spoke to about that. Again, I’m still in favor of it if the $250,000 helps them get here, but they need to make sure this is a deal that is progressing before we can invest in that.”

A Boa Vida executive indicated to the county in a work session last week that it has yet to secure the needed funding to purchase the hospital. Boa Vida, an Indiana-based health care company, operates five hospitals with one in Jellico, Tennessee.

The proposal included a $125,000 payment after the hospital operates for six months. Another $125,000 would come after a full year. In total, $500,000 would be invested by the city and county.

Young, Jerry Rhoton and Dorothy Forney voted for the funding.