MINGO JUNCTION, Ohio — Community leaders, educators and local partners will gather next week to celebrate the opening of the new Jefferson County Innovation Center, a facility designed to bring health, education and workforce resources together under one roof.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 13, at the Innovation Center, located at 2321 Wilson Ave. in Mingo Junction. The event is open to the public.
Following the ribbon cutting at the front entrance, attendees will move into the building’s gymnasium for remarks from project leaders before taking part in guided tours showcasing the center’s services and resources.
The Innovation Center is the result of a $6.5 million investment and nearly three years of planning and collaboration among the Indian Creek Local School District and several community organizations. The project was funded in part through Ohio’s Appalachian Community Innovation Centers Grant Program.
Partners involved in the project include Alliance Integrated Care, the Jefferson County Educational Service Center, the Jefferson County Community Action Council, and WVU Medicine. Representatives from Hammond Construction, Sol-Harris/Day Architecture and the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission are also expected to attend the celebration.
Construction began in June 2025 on the 14,000-square-foot, single-story facility, located next to Hills Elementary School. The center was created to serve students, families and the broader community by providing a variety of services in one location.
Among the resources offered at the Innovation Center are express care medical services, an alternative education program, employment assistance and a partial day treatment program for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.
Indian Creek Superintendent Dr. T.C. Chappelear said the collaboration between the school district and its community partners will expand access to critical services while creating new opportunities for students and families throughout Jefferson County.
