Leaders from across Walker County and the greater Chattanooga region will come together to celebrate the grand opening of The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence, Happy Valley, marking the completion of Phase II of the Morning Pointe at Happy Valley senior living campus, this Thursday, June 18 from 4-7 p.m., with an official ribbon cutting at 4:30 p.m. at 2937 Happy Valley Rd. in Rossville.

The celebration will highlight the collaboration between local government, healthcare organizations, community partners and Morning Pointe Senior Living in expanding access to specialized Alzheimer’s and dementia care for families in North Georgia.

The new Lantern at Morning Pointe Happy Valley is a 60-apartment memory care community designed to serve individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia through two distinct areas: Lamplight and Lantern.

Each tailored to different stages of memory loss and levels of support needs.

The grand opening ceremony will include remarks from Angie Teems, chairwoman and chief executive officer of the Walker County Board of Commissioners, and Lacey Smith, president and chief executive officer of the Walker County Chamber of Commerce, alongside Crystal Carringer, project manager with the Alzheimer’s Association, and other community partners.

“This opening represents what can happen when a community comes together around a shared need,” said Melissa Bartlett, executive director of The Lantern at Morning Pointe Happy Valley. “Families facing Alzheimer’s and dementia deserve options close to home, and this campus allows us to provide that support while honoring each resident’s individuality, dignity and life story.”

The program will also feature voices from families and residents, including Beth Hess, a family member, reflecting the real-life impact of memory care services within the community.

Prior to the ribbon cutting, guests will hear from Morning Pointe Senior Living Co-Founders Greg A. Vital and Franklin Farrow, who established the company in 1997 with a mission to expand access to personalized senior healthcare services across the Southeast.

“When Franklin and I founded Morning Pointe, we envisioned communities that would not only provide quality care, but also become an integral part of the places they serve,” said Mr. Vital. “Seeing leaders, families, healthcare partners and residents come together for this opening reflects exactly why we built this company - to meet growing needs while strengthening the communities we call home.”

The new Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence completes a full continuum of care on the Happy Valley campus, which includes assisted living and specialized memory care services designed to provide families with support, stability and options close to home.

"In addition to expanding care options, the new development represents a significant investment in Walker County," officials said. "The project will add approximately 75 permanent healthcare and support positions and is expected to generate more than $35 million annually in economic impact through payroll, property taxes, local partnerships and the purchase of goods and services."

The grand opening program will also include participation from Ridgeland High School’s Panther Battalion Army JROTC, Joyful Sounds Senior Choir and community faith leadership, including Billy Christol, lead pastor of First Baptist Church of Fort Oglethorpe.

The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence, Happy Valley, is located at 2937 Happy Valley Road in Rossville. Following the ceremony, guests will enjoy tours of the new community and chef-prepared hors d’oeuvres.