Ribbon-cutting ceremony
LISA HOBBS - News Editor
A large crowd gathered to officially celebrate the opening of Warren County Health Department in its new location at Three Star Mall.
“This is the best use of a JCPenney that I’ve ever seen,” said TN Department of Health Commissioner Dr. John Dunn, a statement that brought forth laughter from the crowd.
Warren County’s health department went from approximately 12,000 square feet to 28,000 square feet, according to director Andrea Fox.
“It’s not just a celebration of a building,” Dunn continued. “It’s a celebration of progress and partnership and shared dedication to better health of this community. It’s a strengthening of the commitment and care that we provide to the folks of Warren County. Our mission is to protect, promote and improve the health and well-being of people of Tennessee.”
Dunn says he worked closely with Gov. Bill Lee during COVID. He took a moment to compare then and now.
“It was a cloudy day in Nashville. In 2020, it was dark times in general. [Lee] was commenting on that in the press conference, saying that there will be brighter days ahead and the sun will come out. This is one of those days. A lot of these ARP funds are being used to upgrade infrastructure, so we are seeing that now. I reflect back to that time, because this is one of those sunny days that he was talking about.”
Matt Tuck, Regional Director of the Upper Cumberland TN Department of Health, stated, “When Warren County does something, it does it big. I saw Andrea and her team and the work that they put in. I’m talking about moving boxes, putting up paper towel dispensers, just everything you can imagine. A lot of it was done by this staff. They did this while still seeing patients every single day. They never stopped. I want to thank them for everything they done.”
Among the others in attendance were County Executive Terry Bell, numerous county commissioners, Allen Hill from Upland Design Group, and State Representative Paul Sherrell.
“It is an honor and a privilege to be here today to be a part of this,” said Sherrell, who have a shout out to Bell and the commissioners on a job well done. “This has been a great investment for Warren County to buy this facility. We see what’s here. It was just a great investment. This facility will help a lot of people.”
Presentations were held inside at 2 p.m., followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony outside with Fox cutting the ribbon.