Emory Valley Center signs building contract with Hickory Construction Inc.

 

Emory Valley Center plans to start construction on its new building this spring, and EVC recently signed a contract with Hickory Construction Inc. of Alcoa.

Emory Valley Center launched a capital campaign for a new building six years ago. That’s when building owners discussed plans for the probable demolition of the building the organization uses for some of the services it provides to people with disabilities, a press release said.

Through the efforts of Capital Co-Chairpersons Dottie Thompson and Gene Caldwell, business, and individual donors and grant awards for the project, the campaign is at a point where construction can begin, the press release said.

Emory Valley Center President Jennifer Enderson and Burke Pinnell, Hickory Construction president, recently signed a contract “partnering to make the dream of Emory Valley Center’s new building a reality,” the release said.

“We are very grateful to our community partners and supporters who have contributed and worked so hard to get to a point where we can begin construction on our new building,” Enderson said. “This truly has been a ‘labor of love’ for several years by so many in our community, and we’re looking forward to working with Hickory Construction to make the new building a reality.”

Hickory Construction built its first project in Maryville in 1977, launching one of the most respected general contractors in East Tennessee, the press release said.

“It’s always exciting to secure a new project of this scope, but it’s even more satisfying when our team knows that the facility we build will serve such an outstanding organization as Emory Valley Center and its critical mission for helping such important members of our regional community,” Pinnell said. “We feel tremendously proud to be selected for this project and look forward to building a place that reflects the same level of quality and care as Emory Valley Center shows its community every day.”

While construction on the new building is scheduled to begin this spring, Emory Valley Center is continuing to accept donations for its Capital Campaign in an effort to fully fund the project. If you would like to donate to Emory Valley Center’s Capital Campaign, please contact Development Director Janet Wood by email at [email protected] or call her at (865) 813-0576.

Emory Valley Center has been meeting the needs of people with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities in the East Tennessee community for more than 60 years and currently provides a wide variety of services including: Community Based Day Enrichment, Supported Living, Residential Habilitation, Family Model Residential, Semi-Independent Living, Vocational Training, Supported Employment, Personal Assistance, Transportation, Nursing, Speech Therapy, Physical Therapy, Adult Day Services, Family Support, In-Home Day, Early Intervention Program, Inclusive Early Learning Center (preschool), and Representative and Payee services. This support reaches 850 adults and children on a monthly basis located in 16 East Tennessee counties.

More information will be added as it becomes available.