Construction underway on counseling center expansion

With a price tag of nearly $1.5 million, the construction of administrative and clinical-office space at the Community Counseling Center is underway.

"Work is starting in earnest," said John Hudak, executive director of the Community Counseling Center. "It was held up some because of rain, but we're thrilled with how it's progressing."

The project represents the not-for-profit organization's expansion, which began with groundbreaking in January. It calls for the addition of a two-story, 9,500-square-foot building to connect with the center's existing facility at South Silver Springs Road and Bloomfield Road. The new building will house administrative offices, psychiatric day treatment programs, consumer employment services and forensic services.

Construction work on the new administrative and clinical-office space Wednesday, Feb. 13, at the Community Counseling Center at 402 S Silver Springs Rd. in Cape Girardeau. (Adam Vogler)

According to Hudak, expansion is necessary because of the increase in the number of people seeking help at the center and the need to have all services under one roof.

"We've seen a tremendous increase in volume over the last five or six years," he said. "We serve a good 4,000 people in Cape Girardeau County alone. We're also leasing our administrative offices and other services off-site out on Wolverine Drive. We need to have everything in one place."

The Community Counseling Center has locations in Cape Girardeau, Perry, Bollinger, Ste. Genevieve and Madison counties, with about 300 employees helping more than 7,000 people annually. The organization operates several residential facilities, including New Morning Apartments in Fredericktown, Mo., and Boehme-Hinni Apartments in Cape Girardeau -- for those with mental illnesses -- and the Lou Masterman Center group home in Cape Girardeau.

The expansion is being funded by the sale of $1.45 million in tax-exempt bonds, garnered with the help of the Industrial Development Authority [IDA] of Cape Girardeau County. The Cape Girardeau County Commission approved the tax-exempt status of the bonds in November, and Montgomery Bank committed to buying bonds that were issued.

John M. Thompson, IDA president, believes there is a great benefit to be gained from the center's expansion.

"The construction will create economic activity in the community, and the center will probably be hiring over 20 new people," Thompson said. "The shareholders of Montgomery Bank will benefit because of the tax-exempt bonds that the bank has purchased. The Community Counseling Center will be better equipped to provide a service to the community. To me, everybody wins."

Thompson has been impressed with how the center operates.

"They do all of the right things," he said. "They have a great team in place, and their financial statements are impeccable. I have no doubt that the funds the center has received will be used as they are supposed to be."

Construction is expected to be completed by June.

The center's operations are funded by the Missouri Department of Mental Health, mental health boards in several counties, service fees, grants, contracts and private and corporate gifts.

klewis@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address: 402 S. Silver Springs Road, Cape Girardeau, Mo.