Restoration Storehouse tells Rockdale commissioners it has delivered more than $17 million in three-year impact, plans EV training center

Restoration Storehouse officials presented an update to the Rockdale County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 9, saying the nonprofit and its partners generated more than $17,000,000 in economic impact over the last three years and “a little over $30,000,000” across six years of operation.

Dr. Robert Hughes, speaking for Restoration Storehouse, told the board the nonprofit now works with 14 partner organizations across family support, health, education and capital investment programs. He said education services accounted for about $8,640,000 of the three-year total, health services about $3,950,000, and family-support services about $3,600,000; capital improvements to the Restoration Storehouse campus contributed roughly $1,000,000.

Hughes said Restoration Storehouse occupies a 78,000-square-foot facility and has renovated about 47% of that space. He described a cost-share rental model that charges partners $6.91 per square foot while local market rates average roughly $19 per square foot; he said that model returned an estimated $450,000 to partner operating budgets in the most recent fiscal year by keeping space below market rates.

The presentation highlighted partner programs, including Mercy Heart’s medical, dental and community-paramedicine services and Refuge Pregnancy Center’s material- and client-support services (11,701 client visits and 3,309 unique clients across the referenced period). Hughes said Mercy Heart’s community paramedicine program helped reduce emergency visits to Piedmont Rockdale for many patients.

Hughes also described a planned Electric Vehicle Training Center, to be built in partnership with Georgia Piedmont Technical College and local partners. The project would occupy roughly 5,450 square feet, include four training bays and classroom/lab space, and has a capital estimate of $1,125,000 to complete the space, he said. The center will offer certification training aimed at preparing local residents for technician work related to EVs and charging infrastructure.

The board asked a handful of clarifying questions about the partner-incubator program, two nonprofits currently in a pipeline and whether the incubator fills service gaps; Hughes said the incubator hosts a youth health-food initiative and entrepreneurship training that are intended to fill unmet needs.

For more information, Hughes directed residents to restorationstorehouse.org, which the group uses for contact and tour scheduling.

What’s next: Restoration Storehouse will continue to report to the county as required by its lease and sublease terms and will bring more detailed results back to the board during periodic updates.