Plans for a multi-use community space in Clay County are becoming clearer. Volunteers of America Mid States was recently awarded more than $950,000 to renovate a building in downtown Manchester. VOA has been working in Clay County for the last five years, offering services to help people suffering with substance use disorder.
Jennifer Hancock is president and CEO of Volunteers of America Mid States. She said the first floor of the building will be home to a restaurant and V-O-A’s shop called Mountain Market.
“This is where we will employ people we serve in our programs, our Recovery Community Center and Freedom House programs, to give them an opportunity to learn how customer service and retail skills. We will be selling Appalachian themed goods and products there, sourced by locals in the region,” said Hancock.
The second floor of the building will be transitional housing apartments for graduates of VOA programs. Hancock said this will allow people to affordably live near jobs and community services. The building will also have a telework space.
“So that individuals who have an opportunity to telecommute might need high speed internet access, and don't have that in another place in the community at home or another office setting so they can come and plug in and have access to a telecommuting workspace,” said Hancock.
Hancock said contractor availability and inflation may cause delays, but she hopes construction will be underway by early 2023.
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