Photo Provided Belco Works board members, executives, staff, individuals served, and state and township officials break ground last week on the Next Generation Belco Works building project at Fox Commerce Park west of St. Clairsville.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Belco Works Inc., an independent nonprofit organization offering an array of services for adults with developmental disabilities, broke ground last week on a state-of-the art training center at 66910 Pogue Road in Fox Commerce Park in St. Clairsville.

The organization has been operating since 1966, providing vocational training services to adults with developmental disabilities at its current facility, located on Hammond Road in St. Clairsville. Vocational training services are provided in areas such as document destruction, packaging and assembly, and janitorial services. Service progression also includes on-the-job support for individuals working in a variety of integrated businesses throughout the Ohio Valley.

Keeping pace with advancements in technology, equipment and machinery, and workflow management, Belco Works recognized the need for an updated facility in which individuals with disabilities can maximize productivity and earnings. In particular, the demand for document destruction services has outpaced the capacity of aging equipment and inflexible work space. New shredding machinery and an environment designed for maximum workflow efficiency will offer greatly enhanced customer service.

Over the past two years, Belco Works developed its Next Generation plan and explored solutions by evaluating existing real estate that might be available and could accommodate its needs. A 3-acre plot of land in the Fox Commerce industrial park was identified for its value and location, as well as its proximity to another Belco Works division, Tomorrow’s Corner, which provides services intended to promote greater independence, community membership, relationship building, self-direction and self-advocacy.

Belco Works engaged the architectural and engineering firm of Matyskieka and Grant of Wheeling to design a facility that would meet the current and future needs of the organization as a quality document shredding, packaging and assembly, and janitorial services business. The construction phase will be headed by Colaianni Construction of Dillonvale. Financing has been secured through Unified Bank of Martins Ferry.

Interestingly, while the design of the new facility will accommodate all the enhancements that Belco Works seeks, the new facility will represent a footprint that is approximately 40% smaller than the current facility, made possible because of the efficient layout and upgraded equipment that will be included in the new construction. This new facility will train and employ an average of 55 individuals with disabilities. The project is expected to be completed in approximately 14 months. Once completed, the vocational services that have been described will relocate to the new facility. Administrative services and the services provided at Tomorrow’s Corner will remain at their current locations.

An open house will be planned upon completion of the Next Generation Belco Works building.