On September 20, the nearly brand-new Thomasville Regional Medical Center closed its doors.

The hospital clarified the situation on Facebook: ““We were informed two weeks ago that cash was short. That has happened more than two dozen times over the last two years and the owners always found a way to close the gap. This time they didn’t. Our employees did not get paid on time last week and some of their checks bounced. They were also told by ownership on Friday there was a good chance they might not get paid on time next week. The ER doctors did not get paid this week either. The City Healthcare Authority offered a short-term loan to assist TRMC until expected funds come in over the next couple of weeks to pay us back, but the authority insisted on a personal guarantee by the owner to pay them back.”

Thomasville Mayor Sheldon Day said that there are numerous entities interested in buying the medical center, and there are USDA loan guarantees that will help buy down accumulated debt after foreclosure. Day believes the facility will be attractive to potential suitors.