Stevens Correctional Facility

The County Commission and the State's Division of Corrections have entered into a contract for the housing of approximately 300 inmates at the old Stevens Clinic Hospital. The county currently houses 100 inmates in the County jail. An architectural firm has been selected and is currently at work.

The facility will provide at least 100 new jobs for the area. A grant of $5,200,000 was acquired for construction and renovation costs. A commercial loan of $9,700,000 was acquired for the remainder of the construction and renovation cost.

The building was purchased by the EDA in August 2001 through the use of the Synfuel tax money allocated to the County for economical development. The project will infuse an estimated $30,000,000 annually into the local economy.

The State is in need of additional correction facility capacity as measured by inmate bed space. This will provide additional space at a significant cost savings in operations (estimated $700,000 annually) and capital (about $5,000,000).