Hancock County voters are being asked to renew a $250,000.00 excess levy for the Hancock County Sheltered Workshop in the General Election. The Levy was first approved in 1992 for $250,000.00 and has not increased since that time, according to Michael Hagg, executive director.
The Sheltered Workshop, located on Pennsylvania Avenue in Weirton, was established in the mid 1950’s by parents of individuals with disabilities residing in Hancock County to provide social activities for their children,
“Over the year, our organization has grown and expanded services,” said Hagg. “Currently, employment opportunities, day treatment services and social activities are provided to 90 individuals with a variety of disabilities. All programming is based on the individual’s abilities, wants and needs.”
The laundry operated by the Workshop has customers from West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio and includes Mountaineer, Casino, Racetrack & Resort, five State hospitals, two Air Force Reserve Bases and nursing homes in the tri-state area including Fox Nursing Home in Chester,
The Workshop receives revenue from these contracts in both laundry and custodial as well as a fee for direct services it provides to clients. The Levy amounts to approximately 10 % of the Workshop’s budget.