Novant, Atrium detail new expansion plans to compete in Charlotte and the suburbs
The two largest hospital systems in the Charlotte region are competing to add more beds and emergency services to the area, with combined requests totaling $385 million.
Atrium Health and Novant Health recently submitted proposals to the state through the Certificate of Need application process with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. There is a need for 95 additional acute care beds in Cabarrus County over the next decade, according to the 2026 State Medical Facilities Plan
When two or more hospitals compete for services in the same area, the state reviews applications to ensure they meet strict requirements before selecting a project to move forward.
Under North Carolina law, hospitals cannot build, expand or replace facilities without state approval — a process designed to prevent the unnecessary duplication of services.
Atrium Health’s Cabarrus County proposals
Under the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Hospital Authority, Atrium’s governing body submitted proposals for projects in Harrisburg and Concord.
Atrium Health Harrisburg: This proposal adds 65 beds to the Harrisburg campus on Rocky River Road, bringing the total to 109 licensed beds. The updated filing increases the previously approved cost of $233.4 million to $360.9 million — a nearly 55% increase.
The project includes new maternity services with eight labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum rooms and two dedicated C-section rooms. Atrium opted to build new beds at Harrisburg rather than relocate 13 beds from its main campus as originally planned.
Atrium Health Cabarrus: Atrium is requesting 30 beds for its Concord location on Church Street North. This $74 million project would be integrated into a new planned patient tower. Along with patient rooms, the expansion includes support areas such as waiting rooms, offices and staff lounges. If approved, both projects are slated for completion in January 2033.
Novant Health’s Cabarrus expansion plans
Novant Health, is seeking to add 50 beds at its new Cabarrus medical center in Concord. This would bring the facility to 100 beds, doubling the capacity.
Novant’s request includes eight intensive care beds; four labor and delivery beds; 38 general medical and surgical beds; an additional C-section operating room; two surgical procedure rooms; and 16 emergency department exam rooms.
Novant’s new change-of-scope application includes an additional investment of $120.9 million, bringing the total project cost to $457.3 million — a 36% increase up from the original $336.4 million. Novant aims to complete the project by 2031, pending state approval.
The hospital will be a critical access point for residents of Cabarrus, Rowan and Stanly counties, said Dr. Sid Fletcher, senior vice president and president of Novant Health’s Charlotte region.
Atrium’s new freestanding emergency departments
In addition to the Cabarrus County beds, Atrium is planning to spend more than $62.5 million on two freestanding emergency departments in the Charlotte area, pending state approval.
Atrium Health NoDa — $37.2 million: Located at North Davidson Street and Belmont Avenue in Optimist Park, this facility will feature eight exam rooms, including specialized trauma, pelvic and isolation/bariatric rooms. It will also house high-tech imaging (CT, X-ray, ultrasound), a lab and an on-site pharmacy. Completion is targeted for August 2028.
Atrium Health Moores Chapel — $25.3 million: Located on Sam Wilson Road in western Mecklenburg County, this site will include six emergency exam rooms, diagnostic imaging and on-site support services. Atrium expects this facility to be ready by January 2029.
With more than 100 people moving to the region every day, Atrium wants to invest in local communities by creating more options like the projects submitted to the state, the company said in a statement.
What’s next for Atrium and Novant expansion plans?
The state has scheduled public hearings for the community to weigh in on these proposals:
Cabarrus County proposals for new beds: April 16 at 11 a.m., Cabarrus County Cooperative Extension Center, 715 Cabarrus Ave. West, Concord.
Emergency units — Moores Chapel and NoDa: Scheduled for 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., respectively, in the Randolph Room of the Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library, 2412 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte.
Residents may also file written comments until 5 p.m. March 31. Emails should be sent to DHSR.CON.Comments@dhhs.nc.gov or mailed to the Healthcare Planning and Certificate of Need Section, Division of Health Service Regulation, 2704 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-2704.
More on the hospital systems
Atrium is part of Advocate Health, the third-largest nonprofit health system in the U.S. It serves 6 million patients across 69 hospitals and more than 1,000 care locations. The system recently partnered with Wake Forest University to launch the city’s first four-year medical school, a centerpiece of The Pearl innovation district.
Novant, based in Winston-Salem operates more than 900 locations, including 19 hospitals and 750 physician clinics across the Southeast.
