$3.8 million dollar project underway in Boonville

Wednesday morning was the groundbreaking for Boonville’s new Unlimited Opportunities facility located on West Ashley Road. The previous building burned down in February of 2012.

The organization provides jobs for 170 disabled men and women and the new facility will provide more room for growth.

“I just couldn’t be more ecstatic and thrilled, just being out here today,” said executive director Jennifer Waibel. “I’ve never been nervous speaking but we’ve waited 18 months for this, so I’ve had butterflies in my stomach.”

During the past 18 months, Unlimited Opportunities moved to four different locations in Boonville.

About $2.6 million for the new building is coming from insurance money as well as money from within the organization.

The other $1.2 million, making the $3.8 million total, will hopefully come from fundraising or grants.

Their “Buy a Brick” campaign began Wednesday. This allows families, businesses and individuals to buy a brick engraved with their name that will be displayed in the new building.

“The total, it’s not going to make a huge dent in what we need to finish out the project, so we always accept donations,” said Waibel.

They are estimating about $100,000 will come from people buying bricks.

“I’m so excited… We have waiting over a year for this. All the tears we went through and now they are happy tears,” said human resources manager Laurie Woods.