In order to meet the increasing community demand, Northeast Georgia Medical Center plans to expand its Braselton hospital.

“The decision is based on the tremendous growth we’ve had here at the hospital since we’ve opened,” Anthony Williamson, president of Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton said.

The facility filed a notice last week with the Georgia Department of Community Health, requesting that the state approve adding 24 acute care inpatient beds to the hospital.

Williamson said the project would cost $12 million.

If approved, he anticipates starting the project in July 2019 and finishing it by April 1, 2020.

Williamson said the beds will be added to the fourth floor on the west side of the patient tower. The hospital will dedicate the beds toward serving cardiology and medical/surgical patients.

Williamson said the fourth floor is still under construction.

Besides purchasing the 24 beds, he said the $12 million will be used toward completing the interior of the unfinished unit and buying all of the fourth floor’s necessary equipment.

“We appreciate this project is in response to the community support we’ve received,” Williamson said.