PROJECT PROGRESSING — Construction is on target for the new $6.5 million Jefferson County Innovation Center near Hills Elementary School in Mingo Junction. -- Contributed

MINGO JUNCTION — Construction on the Jefferson County Innovation Center located near Hills Elementary School is on target, and officials anticipate work to continue under roof this winter.

Assistant Superintendent John Belt said the project was on time and on budget as crews continue erecting the 14,000-square-foot facility at the entrance of Indian Creek Middle School in Mingo Junction.

The estimated $6.5 million project was funded through an Appalachian Community Innovation Centers Grant and features a one-story building that will house a walk-in health clinic, job assistance program, alternative school and a day treatment facility for students in grades K-8, while partnerships were formed with WVU Medicine, the Jefferson County Educational Service Center, Jefferson County Community Action Council and Alliance Integrated Healthcare to provide those respective services.

“The underground electrical work and plumbing have passed inspection,” Belt said. “By the end of October or the first week of November, all of the interior slab concrete will be poured and the high wall for the gymnasium (at JCESC’s Quest Center alternative school) goes up, then the structural steel is scheduled for the first week of November. We still expect to be under roof by the end of December.”

He explained that the Quest Center will include a small, half-court-sized space for physical activities and would be used by youth at the alternative school and day treatment center, but it could also include batting cages for the ICHS baseball team to use for practice after hours since it is next to the baseball field. The health clinic and Ohio Means Jobs satellite office will be available to the public and the alternative center and youth day treatment facility will serve students throughout the county.

Belt added that North Canton-based Sol-Harris/Day Architecture is the design professional with Hammond Construction of Akron as construction manager, and the companies were involved with the creation of the new Indian Creek High School and Cross Creek Elementary School in Wintersville, as well as renovations at Hills Elementary.

Ground was officially broken in June and officials said the facilities should be ready this summer.

“The center is on target for completion in late July and we plan to be up and running with all services for the 2026-2027 school year,” said Superintendent T.C. Chappelear.