This article originally appeared in the River Cities Tribune.
The Buckeye Hills Career Center in Rio Grande has continued to blaze a path forward with increasingly ambitious new developments. This year has been no exception, with major announcements poised to propel the institution even further towards rewarding students with an exceptional learning experience.
In June, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) announced more than $88 million in funding to help nearly a dozen Appalachian school districts improve public health and enhance workforce development in their areas. Buckeye Hills was among those included.
OFCC is awarding the funds as part of the Appalachian Community Innovation Centers Program, which was created in partnership with the Ohio General Assembly. The goal of the program is to create full-service centers for public education, community health services, and career development in Appalachia Ohio.
“The award-winning Buckeye Hills Career Center has served the communities of Gallia, Jackson, and Vinton counties for almost 50 years. We know learning means doing,” Superintendent Jamie Nash said.
“We provide hands-on training for in-demand jobs, so our students can get to work and use their skills to change the world. From high school to adult education, our students are prepared to face any challenge that lies ahead. At Buckeye Hills, we work hard, think big, and find a way, because in Southeast Ohio, it’s what we do,” Nash said.
Scheduled for completion in June 2026, the Community Innovation Center aims to become a cornerstone for both healthcare and workforce development in the region.
This 17,326-square-foot facility will house a range of services, including healthcare clinics, job search assistance, and educational support for K-12 and adult learners. In an area where access to healthcare is limited and unemployment remains a significant issue, the center will serve as a lifeline.
The Innovation Center will offer free and reduced-cost healthcare services, including dental and behavioral health care, while also acting as a job training site for health sciences students. With over 17,000 square feet of space, it will include classrooms, work search labs, and healthcare exam rooms. Nash says the goal is to serve students, staff, and community needs by providing access to healthcare and career pathways that could reshape the future of the region.
“Southeastern Ohio is preparing for a transformation. Three major construction projects at Buckeye Hills Career Center are set to address critical workforce shortages, provide healthcare access, and offer state-of-the-art education facilities that will help local communities thrive,” Nash said.
“With completion dates ranging from 2024 to 2026, these projects will support hundreds of students and residents, opening doors to new career opportunities and much-needed services,” Nash said.
Set for completion in December, the Commercial Driving License (CDL) & Heavy Diesel Mechanics Program is aimed at equipping Southeastern Ohio’s workforce with essential skills in transportation and heavy equipment maintenance.
With Ohio’s growth, new opportunities are emerging in logistics and transportation industries that desperately need qualified drivers and mechanics.
This 9,256-square-foot facility and 24,000-square-foot CDL pad will offer hands-on training in heavy diesel mechanics and commercial driving, preparing around 100 students each year to enter in-demand fields.
The training center will feature modern lab bays designed to simulate real-world conditions, ensuring graduates are job-ready from day one.
By July, Nash says the Electrical Trades Building will offer a vital training ground for careers in telecommunications, broadband, power Lineman, and heavy equipment operation. Southeastern Ohio has long struggled with outdated infrastructure, especially in broadband, and this project aims to change that. The new 7,333-square- foot facility will provide space for more than 100 students, giving them the skills needed to rebuild and maintain the region’s infrastructure.
The building will include five labs which will allow students to gain hands-on experience in these high-demand fields. With the growing need for skilled workers in telecommunications and electrical trades, Nash says the facility is expected to not only alleviate the current strain on regional infrastructure but also create a steady pipeline of job-ready graduates.
“Together, these three projects represent a massive investment in the future of Southeastern Ohio. By addressing the area’s pressing needs for education, job training, and healthcare, Buckeye Hills Career Center offers a path forward for our region. With new facilities set to open in the next few years, Southeastern Ohio is on the verge of a much-needed transformation; one that promises to fulfill Buckeye Hill’s
