Goodwill of South Central Ohio, which provides services for more than 300 individuals with disabilities, entered into a contract with the Chillicothe City Schools District to acquire the former Tiffin Elementary School property at Bridge and Fifth streets.
The schools’ Board of Education approved the sale in its October meeting. The acquisition is expected to be completed by mid-January. The purchase price is $250,000.
“It’s not often 10 acres with all utilities near the heart of the city becomes available at an attractive price,” said Marvin Jones, CEO of Goodwill and a former Tiffin student. “While we have no immediate concrete plans for the property, it provides opportunities for us to advance our mission of improving the quality of life and job opportunities for those with disabilities and disadvantages. We plan to seek input on possible uses from the neighbors and the community so that it remains an asset for Chillicothe for years to come.”
Jones went on to say the support of the community with its donations and patronage of our retail stores and ecommerce operation made this possible in addition to the expansion of our workforce development department, our new offices and activities and training center on Western Avenue and our new home and personal care division. “Our board recognized a real opportunity existed with the Tiffin property and unanimously approved moving forward,” Jones said.
Goodwill provides services and has retail and donation sites in all eight of its counties: Ross, Fayette, Pickaway, Pike, Jackson, Vinton, Athens and Hocking. It employs about 200, including about 60 with disabilities. Through September this year, Goodwill has helped 32 individuals with disabilities find jobs with businesses and industries in our communities and is working with another 180.