News & Press
Xenia Emerge Center Announces New Vibrant Community Investment
XENIA—The Xenia Emerge Center and Emerge Recovery and Trade Initiative celebrated the start of the center’s $4.8 million renovation to grow the recovery and trade programs housed in the center.
“The partnership between the Emerge Center and Emerge Recovery & Trade Initiative redefines the idea of a project that sparks catalytic change in its community. At Emerge, that catalytic change starts the moment our students and residents walk in the door. It radiates out into the community with every graduate,” said Rachel Huffman, CEO, Emerge Recovery & Trade Initiative. “The expanded capacity for the Recovery & Trade Initiative will allow more students to learn skills to build a successful career. It will give more people struggling with addiction a safe place to begin rebuilding their lives.”
With successful businesses in plumbing, HVAC and roofing, Chris Adams, Kip Morris, and Doug Van Dyke, purchased the building in 2021 to find new solutions to regional workforce shortages and create an innovative model to help people rebuild their lives.
“The Xenia Emerge Center will be an invaluable resource for Greene County to support participants' personal and professional growth,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “Once renovated, this facility will provide access to housing, recovery services, and workforce development that will help those involved live up to their full potential."
The Emerge model is first of its kind, combining transitional housing, recovery services, programs for emancipated youth, life skills training and a trade school component all under one roof. Located at the former Greene County Career Center, Emerge is a complete ecosystem providing clinical services, workforce development, and employment opportunities for those in recovery.
Emerge Recovery and Trade Initiative, a non-profit, is the center’s primary tenant. It is also home to The Digital Watchman, Five Star Home Services, Rapid Response Restoration, and Van Martin Roofing, and a restaurant, the Arise Café.
SB III, A Fire Protection Company. recently hired graduates of both the recovery and trade initiatives and offers job shadow experiences for The Trades Institute students.
“The ultimate goal of the JobsOhio Vibrant Communities Program is to create quality jobs through community revitalization,” said Julie Sullivan, Dayton Development Coalition Executive Vice President, Regional Development. “The Emerge Center and Emerge Recovery & Trade Initiative prepare their students for in-demand jobs across the region, and support people in recovery as they enter into the workforce. Their work strengthens our local workforce and positions their graduates for successful careers.”
The funding for the renovation includes a $750,000 JobsOhio Vibrant Communities Grant to the Emerge Center. The JobsOhio Vibrant Communities Program was established to assist small and medium-sized communities implementing catalytic development projects that fulfill a market need and represent a significant reinvestment in Ohio communities. Eligible projects include mixed-use projects, real estate development projects, and shared spaces that meet the JobsOhio project criteria.
This project aims to conduct needed repairs to the facility and make the project more environmentally and financially sustainable. It will replace the roof, replace the HVAC, and add solar to the facility. This will enable the project to take advantage of state tax incentives and other sustainability focused programs. It will also allow the center to build out its programs for women, former foster youth, and juveniles involved in the justice system.
“The Xenia Emerge Center will not only renovate a building, it will also transform lives,” said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. “Through a JobsOhio Vibrant Community Grant and close collaboration with our regional partners, we're establishing one space where the Greene County community can advance personally while preparing them for the abundant trade jobs coming to the region.”
Contact:
Shannon Joyce Neal
973-231-5436