GROTON, Mass. - The grassy site at 490 Main Street in Groton, MA will be the future site of a satellite emergency facility. Local first responders, representatives, UMass Memorial Health and their LifeFlight team all gathered to celebrate the announcement on Monday, just about 13 months after the region lost the Nashoba Valley Medical Center.

A grand unveiling for what the future of addressing health care needs in North Central Mass will look like. UMass Memorial Medical Center plans to open a Satellite Emergency Facility in Groton.

“For us, it is such an honor to be up here in the North Central region," UMass Memorial Medical Center President Justin Precourt said, "providing resources and providing care to this community and to the communities that serve.”

“Today, we do celebrate the resilience of Nashoba Valley," Gov. Maura Healey said. "And today we recommit to health care in this region and across our state.”

The new facility will provide the same level of emergency services as a traditional emergency department; including a helipad for emergency transport by helicopter, beds for emergency care or observation, and certain imaging services.

The closure of Nashoba Valley Medical Center in August of 2024, spurred by financial mismanagement by parent company Steward Healthcare, has put strain on first responders and residents in the area.

“The closure of Nashoba Valley Center was not some unavoidable market trend or some act of God," (D) Massachusetts 3rd Congressional District Rep. Lori Trahan said. "The closure was a direct result of the corporate greed of Ralph de la Torre and Steward executives.”

Since the closure, Governor Healey credits local first responders and department chiefs like Groton Fire’s Arthur Cheeks who provided guidance and insight on what their communities need.

“Is there a need for a hospital? Yes," Chief Arthur Cheeks said. "It takes us 20 minutes plus and people need that peace of mind knowing that they can receive definitive care in their backyard.”

“The challenge was we couldn't absorb the volume from there, and the EMS couldn't absorb the longer transport time," UMass Memorial Health President and CEO Dr. Eric Dickson said. "So, we had to do something.”

Dr. Eric Dickson said while UMass couldn’t fully step in and take over the former hospital site in Ayer, the planned Satellite Emergency Facility is a step in the right direction for the community.

“First step is an emergency department," Dickson said. "Then we're going to expand our digital medicine programs, care in the home programs to the communities around Groton. And then hopefully we'll be able to get some of our outstanding specialty care here, like a diabetes center of excellence. So, people in this community don't have to drive to Worcester, don't have to drive to Boston to be able to get world class care.”

And while some Nashoba Valley residents are still hopeful for the return of a full hospital, Cheeks agreed the planned facility is needed.

“It's a great step. It's going to be a great positive for the community," Cheeks said. "And we'll see where we'll see where it goes from there.”

Cheeks said they're eyeballing early 2027 for an opening date of the facility, and the area is taking any win they can get when it comes to improving health care for Nashoba Valley.