The Georgia Department of Community Health has officially approved a major new healthcare project in North Cobb: the Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center at Acworth. This $1 billion investment is set to bring state-of-the-art medical services to the area, along with more than 1,500 new jobs and expanded infrastructure support.
To learn more about what this means for the area, Cobb Voice spoke with Alderman Tim Richardson of the Acworth City Council, who has played a key role in working with Wellstar from the earliest stages of the proposal. The city council’s steady leadership and commitment to keeping the community’s priorities front and center have helped guide the project from concept to approval.
As Acworth continues to grow, maintaining experienced voices on the Council, will be key to ensuring projects like this stay aligned with the community’s long-term goals.
A Hands-On Partnership with Wellstar
Since the beginning, the City of Acworth has worked directly with Wellstar Health System to ensure the hospital serves the community well.
“We’ve been engaged from the start to make sure this project delivers what our residents need, not just in terms of healthcare, but also how it fits into the surrounding area,” Alderman Richardson explained.
The need for a new facility is significant. The four-county region of Cobb, Bartow, Cherokee, and Paulding has one of the highest unmet demand for hospital beds in the state, and local hospitals like Wellstar Kennestone are routinely operating at near-capacity.
Wellstar has already begun hosting public meetings, with senior leadership, including CEO Candice Saunders, personally engaging with local organizations to explain the scope and timeline of the project.
Smart Infrastructure, Not Local Burdens
Now that the Certificate of Need has been approved, the focus turns to ensuring the project moves forward in a way that benefits Acworth residents, without adding unnecessary cost to local taxpayers.
The hospital will be located on Cobb Parkway across from Wellstar Acworth Health Park, and improvements to Highway 92 and surrounding routes are already underway, funded at the state level. These upgrades will help manage increased traffic and improve access to the facility, all without putting pressure on local budgets.
On the emergency services front, the benefits are immediate and measurable. Today, it can take over an hour for an ambulance to reach some patients during peak traffic. The new hospital will include 70 emergency bays, 8 operating rooms, and air ambulance access, which is expected to significantly reduce emergency response times.
The City is also coordinating with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and utility providers to ensure clean water delivery and responsible use of nearby resources, including Lake Allatoona.
Job Creation and Local Economic Impact
The hospital is expected to bring over 1,500 jobs to the area, covering healthcare and support services. For Acworth’s working families, that means more employment options close to home, reducing commute times and giving people more time for what matters most.
But the benefits don’t stop with direct employment. Local businesses, restaurants, retail shops, service providers, and professional offices, are expected to see an increase in demand as employees, patients, and visitors come to the area.
“The ripple effect on small businesses will be real,” Richardson noted. “And we’ve put systems in place to help them grow.”
Acworth’s streamlined business permit process has already helped attract and retain a range of small and mid-sized businesses. With the hospital bringing more people into the area daily, the city is well-positioned to support business growth across a range of sectors.
Preserving Acworth’s Distinct Identity
As Acworth grows, residents have made it clear they want thoughtful planning, not unchecked development. City leaders have worked to ensure new projects complement, rather than compete with, the community’s character.
The Comprehensive Plan lays out clear design standards and land use expectations, especially around the historic downtown area and nearby neighborhoods. An overlay district enforces those guidelines, ensuring that new construction fits with the existing look and feel.
The hospital’s location helps reinforce this approach. Separated from the heart of the city by Lake Allatoona and federally protected land, the site is already zoned for commercial and residential use, keeping dense development out of established residential areas.
Improved Care Close to Home
For residents, one of the most practical benefits of the new hospital will be access to better care, without the need to drive long distances.
Wellstar already operates a highly successful Health Park in Acworth, home to the busiest urgent care center in its system. The new hospital will build on that success, adding emergency care, long-term services, and more outpatient resources right in the community.
That means shorter wait times, faster emergency response, and greater continuity of care, especially important for seniors and families balancing busy schedules.
Keeping the Community Involved
One of the most important features of this project is the creation of a Community Advisory Council. Wellstar leadership has committed to involving local residents in ongoing decisions throughout construction and into the hospital’s operation.
“This is about making sure the people who live here continue to have a real voice in the project.” Richardson said.
The City of Acworth will remain closely involved, working with Wellstar to ensure that community feedback translates into real, measurable outcomes, from traffic planning and design features to patient services and public safety.
A Steady Hand for the Road Ahead
Projects of this scale don’t happen overnight, they require leadership that listens, plans, and follows through. Alderman Richardson has been deeply involved in this process from the beginning, helping ensure the community’s priorities are reflected at every step.
As Richardson seeks another term on the Acworth City Council, his experience and leadership remain important assets as the city manages growth, balances new opportunities, and stays focused on what matters most to local families and businesses.
“Our city council team’s vision is simple, build and protect quality of life by investing in what matters most.” Richardson said.
A Hospital That Fits Acworth’s Future
The new Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center at Acworth brings with it the potential for long-term improvements in healthcare, job creation, and infrastructure. Thanks to a collaborative approach from city leaders and Wellstar, the project is moving forward in a way that protects what residents care about, while opening new opportunities for growth and prosperity.
As Alderman Richardson put it: “We’re building for the future, but doing it with the community at the center, every step of the way.”
