DICKENSON COUNTY, Va – As Southwest Virginia continues to experience the impacts of the addiction crisis, The Industrial Development Authority of Dickenson County, Virginia (IDA) has entered into an agreement with Southwest Properties, LLC to develop a women’s
substance use disorder (SUD) treatment facility at the former Ervinton Elementary School, in Nora, VA. Addiction Recovery Care (ARC), headquartered in Louisa, Kentucky, signed a letter of intent to operate the facility.

The Ervinton property was acquired by the County from the Dickenson County School Board as surplus property. Then, the property was deeded to the IDA from the County at the November Board of Supervisors meeting. Further details regarding the project will be announced at a later date. It is expected to open by the end of December 2025.

In January 2023, Addiction Recovery Care (ARC) and the Dickenson County IDA announced the development of the Wildwood Recovery Center, to be located in Clintwood, VA. The 112-bed facility for men will be the first facility operated by ARC outside of Kentucky. Construction crews expect to complete their work on the 112-bed facility in early 2024.

Addiction Recovery Care (ARC) is a leading provider of comprehensive treatment services for individuals with substance use disorder (SUD). Headquartered in Louisa, Kentucky, ARC operates a network of more than 30 treatment programs across Eastern and Central Kentucky. ARC’s nationally recognized “Crisis to Career” model is a four-phase, year-long program that combines SUD treatment, primary care, counseling, and peer support with life skills, education, and job training to set up clients for long-term success.

Both projects are part of Dickenson County’s strategic economic development plan and include workforce development and housing components. “We are proud to be one of the first localities in the state to develop a project focusing on addiction treatment as a form of economic development,” said Dana Cronkhite, Dickenson County Director of Economic Development. “Southwest Virginia, like Eastern Kentucky, has been at the epicenter of the Opioid epidemic, and our workforce participation has struggled as a result. We are eager to provide a treatment option to our citizens that provides a holistic approach, to include workforce development training and solutions that allow people an opportunity to re-enter the workforce to earn a living wage and to increase the opportunity of long-term recovery.”

As part of the Virginia Opioid abatement settlement fund, Virginia localities received direct distributions from the settlement administrator. In September 2023, the Dickenson County Board of Supervisors voted to allocate $250,000 of the County’s direct distribution to the Wildwood Recovery Center project, and the County plans on making further applications to the Opioid Abatement Authority in the coming months.

“Life-changing projects like this are a prime example of the purpose of Virginia’s opioid settlement funding,” said Senator Todd Pillion, chairman of the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority. “This investment will support the core mission of the Wildwood Recovery Center as a beacon of hope for individuals who are determined to regain control of their lives. Making initiatives like Wildwood and now the proposed women’s facility a priority not only strengthens families and communities, it is essential to improving our workforce and economic development opportunities.”

This announcement follows the commitment from the County, Southwest Properties, and Addiction Recovery Care to provide treatment options in Dickenson County for both men and women.

For more information, please visit arccenters.com/wildwood-recovery-center.