Mercy Senior Care seeks CDBG waiver as North Georgia Autism Center proposes using former Rome care facility

Kathryn Lawler, identifying herself as CEO of Mercy Care, told the Floyd County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 9 that Mercy Senior Care closed the facility at 300 Chatillon Road on June 30, 2025, after a year-and-a-half discernment process and that staff and residents were assisted during the closure. "The last day of service was on June 30, 2025," Lawler said, and described efforts to place residents and provide support packages for employees.

Lawler said Mercy would like the building returned to community service and is participating in a process that could allow another provider to operate the site. "It is very exciting for us that it once again be filled with people of Rome and the care and support they need," she said during the public hearing.

Bethany Oliver Craig, identifying herself as CEO of North Georgia Autism Center, said her organization intends to take over the Chatillon Road facility to provide health services to children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and described the site as well suited to the center's needs. "We intend to take over that facility and provide services ... to children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder," Oliver Craig said, noting the building's indoor and outdoor space.

County Manager Jamie McCord presented a resolution asking the Georgia Department of Community Affairs to waive or reduce a special condition tied to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) #10p-y-057-1-5229 that currently requires the building be used as an adult care facility for 20 years. The resolution requests that the required use period be reduced to 10 years. Commissioner David Thornton moved to approve the resolution; Commissioner Mike Burnes seconded. The motion carried 4-0.

Chair Allison Watters opened the public hearing, recognized the speakers in favor, saw no speakers in opposition and closed the hearing after testimony. The commission also approved, elsewhere on the agenda, a related resolution in support of Mercy Senior Care's request to DCA.

Next steps: the county's resolution formally requests that the state agency consider the waiver; any final change to the grant condition would require action by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. The commission did not take further local action on the use restriction at the meeting.