MINGO JUNCTION — The blast of winter that has hit our area has not hampered construction at the Jefferson County Innovation Center in Mingo Junction.

Indian Creek Local School District officials said despite the snow and icy temperatures, work has remained consistent on the site located near Hills Elementary School and the new facility should be ready this summer. The estimated $6.5 million project entails the formation of a 14,000-square-foot, one-story building that will lodge express care services, an alternative school and a job assistance program, as well as a day treatment facility for students in grades K-8. Funding has been provided through an Appalachian Community Innovation Centers Grant program and administered through the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission.

“It is under roof, except for the gym, but we hope to have it finished soon,” said district Assistant Superintendent John Belt. “The building is soft-enclosed and holding temporary heat and the crews were adding interior spray foam insulation. It’s still on track for August occupancy.”

Work on the interior foam and drywall were expected to finish during the coming week, while the exterior brick ties should be done during the second week of February, with the exterior brick foam to be added to the structure. Belt said there was enough material on site to continue work as long as workers could get to the property.

“We’re not worried about the inability to continue forward due to the lack of deliveries,” he commented. “We’re on time and on budget.”

Ground was broken in June with district leaders and community partners including the Jefferson County Educational Service Center, Jefferson County Community Action Council, WVU Medicine and Alliance Integrated Care. Indian Creek was among 14 recipients to share an $88 million allocation while North Canton-based Sol-Harris/Day Architecture serves as the design professional with Hammond Construction of Akron as construction manager.

Both firms are already familiar with the district since they were involved with the $63 million construction and renovation projects at Indian Creek High School, Cross Creek Elementary and Indian Creek Middle School.

Once the innovation center is completed, WVU Medicine will offer the walk-in clinic and JCESC’s Quest Center will serve students from Jefferson and Harrison counties. JCCAC will provide an Ohio Means Jobs access point with resume assistance, life skills training and other resources for adults and dislocated workers, and Alliance Integrated Care will operate the youth partial day treatment program.