Here we go.
Whether anyone is ready or not, a new decade is dawning.
Each new year there is time for reflection, but also time to look ahead at what might be bigger and better – and 2020 is no exception.
Taking stock of the year in review, there was a lot going on in Highlands in 2019. From political races, to new businesses opening, the town was never short on buzz. In this edition of The Highlander you will find a recap of what were the most impactful stories of 2019.
Hospital Corporation of America buying Mission Health was an easy choice to top the list. In February of 2019, HCA made the purchase official and took over Highlands-Cashiers Hospital and Angel Medical Center in Franklin as a result.
While the long-term effects of the HCA transition remain to be seen, the short-term future appears bright. As part of the purchase agreement HCA must keep Highlands-Cashiers Hospital open at least another nine years and the company is moving forward with a plan to replace Angel Medical Center with a modern facility in Franklin.
Another story that was sure to make the list of 2019’s most important was the Town of Highlands effort to make the municipality a “21st Century City.”
While no one is going to confuse Highlands with a “city,” the move to build a high-speed fiber network is a forward thinking venture. The internet has become an integral part of our daily lives, and having reliable access to high-speed service makes the town a more attractive place to visit, live and do business.
Much like the hospital story, there are more questions lingering about the high-speed network, which will be administered by Wide Open Networks once built – Is it worth the construction cost? What impact will it have on the business community?
As the collective attention turns to 2020, it’s important to remember that each year is what we make of it – whether the news is positive or negative. Let’s strive to be at our best as a community.