Leaders celebrate completion of ECO Center renovation, launching student health services

August 5, 2026 - 04:07

Community and state officials came together on Tuesday in Belmont County to celebrate the finished renovation of the East Central Ohio Educational Service Center, a project that wrapped up after nearly a year of work. The event also served as the official launch of a new student health services wing, which will now operate out of the same facility.

The updated space is designed to bring together administrative support and direct care under one roof. School districts that work with the ECO Center will now have a more streamlined way to connect students with health screenings, counseling referrals, and basic medical services. Leaders at the ceremony emphasized that the new layout was built with both efficiency and student comfort in mind, allowing for more private consultation rooms and a smoother check-in process.

State representatives joined local school superintendents and county commissioners for the ribbon cutting. Several speakers noted that the project was funded through a mix of state grants and local levies, with no additional burden placed on district operating budgets. The renovation also included upgraded heating and cooling systems, improved accessibility features, and a refreshed main lobby that had not seen major updates in decades.

For the families and educators in the region, the new health hub is expected to reduce travel time for routine appointments and make it easier for schools to coordinate care for students who need ongoing support. The center plans to staff the health office with a full-time nurse and a part-time mental health coordinator starting next month.