Andrews – A former health clinic that sat empty for a decade suddenly has competing interests, although Cherokee County commissioners appear to have chosen.
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners intends to lease the old clinic to Woman’s Enrichment & Family Center Inc., a corporation that does business under the name of Pregnancy & Parenting Center of Cherokee County. A competing proposal would make the old clinic an in-patient drug rehabilitation facility. Cherokee County commissioners saw a greater good with a parenting center over a drug rehab facility and chose to support the family center’s plan.
The old Andrews Health Department facility at 224 Main St. in Andrews would be leased to the family center for $1 per year for nine years. The center, in turn, would pay to renovate and operate the building.
The board of commissioners is expected to adopt a resolution authorizing the lease at its next regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 20, at the Cherokee County Courthouse in Murphy.
The family center is located at the east end of West End Plaza and, although the old health department building nearby is slightly smaller, it has outdoor areas that organizers think would allow for a more inviting environment.
The center went to the county hoping to buy the property, but county commissioners thought it would set a bad precedent for the county to virtually give away property aside from what it has already done with fire departments and community centers.
Instead, the county offered the long-term lease at a token rent.
Competing interest
ICGH – Integrated Care of Greater Hickory – Treatment Centers opened a drug treatment center called ICGH Andrews at 132B Main St. in West End Plaza. The center offers free treatment and recovery support for people struggling with opioids, methamphetamine, alcohol and other substances.
Cherokee County funds the clinic from proceeds of a $9.45 million settlement against opioid manufacturers and distributors to be paid over 17 years. In a resolution passed by the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners in April 2025, the county spelled out a three-part strategy using ICGH as a service provider:
Increase access and adherence to evidence-based addiction treatment. This $98,700 allocation pays ICGH through June 30 to provide addiction help and treatment.
Expand access to peer support specialist and other recovery support services. This is a $177,628 allocation through June 30.
Recovery-focused housing support. This is a $62,400 allocation aimed at funding transitional housing for three individuals for one year.
Since that time, ICGH saw the old health department building as an opportunity to bring in-patient drug treatment to Cherokee County.
Commissioner Ben Adams suggested ICGH look to some of the other vacant properties in Andrews and expressed concern about security at the Cherokee County Emergency Medical Services base next door, where ambulances are parked with a small pharmacy’s worth of drugs stored inside.
Adams said a pregnancy center reaches more people than a drug treatment center would.
Expected winner
Pregnancy & Parenting Center of Cherokee County is a faith-based, Christian ministry consisting of a growing group volunteers and generous donors, dedicated to assisting neighbors in need, according to the organization’s website.
“We endeavor to bring positive, lasting changes in families. Our center is supported by people in our community, churches, and businesses. This support enables us to offer essential social services to clients at no cost to them or to the government. We incorporated in 2009 and have obtained 501(c)(3) status with the IRS.
“Our purpose is to reach out to all women with compassion and care, in all walks of life, giving them accurate and healthy information and options during normal or crisis pregnancies and other difficult crossroads,” according to the center.
“Our approach is non-judgmental, caring, compassionate and hopeful. We want to help meet not only the physical and emotional needs, but also stand ready to address the spiritual aspect of each woman willfully seeking such counsel. We believe every woman is special and that her feelings, full knowledge of her choices, well-being, privacy and safety are important. Whatever your history or situation, please come in the full assurance of confidence and allow us to serve you.”
In its original proposal asking for the county to donate the building, the center said its plans “can instantly transform an idle liability into a thriving family support hub. This no-cost action eliminates ongoing county burdens, amplifies free essential services that strengthen our rural communities and delivers measurable public good without a single dollar spent.”