DE QUEEN, Ark. - Sevier County's new hospital is still on target to open in March 2022, according to officials.
An update on the construction was the focus of a recent meeting of the Sevier County Medical Center Board of Governors.
Board Chairman Steve Cole said construction is progressing smoothly despite the weather.
The board is set to narrow down its applications for the hospital's CEO/administrator position.
"We interview the week of April 19," Cole said. "If we like one and hire them, they will begin June 1."
The administrator will be responsible for overseeing construction of the new hospital and also heading its daily operations once the medical center opens.
The board plans to announce its hire at its May meeting.
Board treasurer Greg Revels provided a financial update that the hospital has more than $1.5 million in sales tax revenue set aside and this money will be used to help fund operations once the hospital opens.
Sevier County broke ground on its new hospital in the fall of 2020. The 14-bed facility will be located on 18 acres north of De Queen on U.S. Highway 71.
The hospital's funding was approved by Sevier County voters through a 1% sales tax passed in October 2019. It should employ about 105 people.
The county's former hospital, which was opened by an out of state company, closed in 2019 after a series of financial problems.