A company that operates kidney dialysis centers wants to open one in Saint Johnsbury.
Fresenius Medical Care has filed a letter of intent with state officials saying it would like to build a 7,000-square-foot facility with 12 dialysis machines.
The company has told the state it also would like to offer home dialysis in the area.
The regulatory approval process is expected to take about a year.
Fresenius already operates dialysis centers in Lancaster and Lebanon, New Hampshire. There is another dailysis center at the Newport hospital.
Officials say there are at least 30 people needing dialysis who live closer to Saint Johnsbury than to other dialysis centers.