Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio to create a new Zanesville Hub

The organization announced it's in the home stretch of the capital campaign for the project

Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio is nearing it’s $4 million fundraising goal as it prepares to build a Zanesville hub for operations.

More than 85% of the funds have been raised and 2 acres of property on Putnam Avenue have been purchased for the new hub. The 17,000-square-foot hub will serve as the new home of the Habitat ReStore, which is currently at 100 Sunrise Center Drive in Zanesville.

“The Habitat for Humanity ReStore is a social enterprise for Habitat for Humanity. Items are donated there, nearly all of the items are donated. Some of them we do purchase at, you know, discounted rates and then we resell those items,” said Melissa Best, the director of community engagement with Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio. “The proceeds from the ReStore help us fund our operations and help us build more affordable homes here in Muskingum County, Southeast Ohio.”

There will also be a 3,000-square-foot annex building for local staff offices, construction equipment storage, a community meeting space, and a community training center.

“So, we’re going to be teaching people how to budget. You know, financial literacy is one of the things we’re really going to focus on. And then we’re also going to have hands-on classes and workshops where we’ll be able to teach people how to do basic home maintenance tasks that will help them be more self-reliant. So, we will have classes on how to repair lamps, how to reseat toilets, how to change out your faucets, how to repair drywall, and painting, and hang shingling, siding. Really, whatever we can teach people to do so they can be self-reliant.”

The new regional hub for Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio is anchored by a lead $2 million donation from the J.W. and M.H. Straker Charitable Foundation.

“The Strakers really understand the value of what Habitat for Humanity’s doing here in Muskingum County and support us in all the ways that we need them to. Sure, with financial contribution, which is significant, but also just their support with ideas and spreading the word about the impact that we’re going to be making,” Best said. “They are terrific community supporters in many, many ways.”

Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio also announced a 5-7 year revitalization plan for the Putnam Avenue area.

“That’ll start with neighborhood meetings, talking to people that already live and work, have an interest in this community and find out how we can make this a better place for everyone,” Best said.

To learn more about the ReStore & ReVitalize fundraising campaign or to contribute, you can visit Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio online.