Addiction Recovery Care Closes on Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital Purchase

Addiction Recovery Care Closes on Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital Purchase, Moves Forward with Plans to Bring Comprehensive Treatment Center to Eastern Kentucky

Treatment with an end goal is coming to Greenup County.

Addiction Recovery Care (ARC), a national leader in treatment and recovery, has closed on its purchase agreement with Bon Secours Mercy Health for a portion of the former Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital campus in Greenup County, Kentucky and is moving forward with plans to bring a comprehensive, new treatment center to the community.

ARC’s nationally recognized “Crisis to Career” model is a four-phase, year-long program that combines substance use disorder treatment, primary care, counseling and peer support with life skills, education and job training to set up clients for long-term success.

“This is an exciting milestone as we continue our work to deliver lifesaving treatment and recovery services to our community members who are struggling with substance use disorder,” said Tim Robinson, founder and CEO of Addiction Recovery Care. “We are thankful for the tremendous support we’ve received from state and local officials to bring this project to fruition and look forward to making a positive difference in Greenup County and the surrounding areas.”

“We are facing an unprecedented mental health and substance use disorder crisis across the country, in the wake of the COVID pandemic. The good news is that we are more equipped than ever before to provide the treatment necessary to help save lives,” said Congressman Hal Rogers, Dean of the House. “Addiction Recovery Care is taking treatment to the next level in Kentucky, by providing care for these co-occurring disorders. This new facility will provide hope to individuals and families who may have otherwise given up on recovery and support close to home. I am thankful to partner with champions like ARC to keep hope alive and well for individuals battling these relentless challenges.” 

“The new, comprehensive treatment facility announced by Addiction Recovery Care will make essential mental health and recovery services more accessible for our Eastern Kentucky families while also creating nearly 200 new, quality jobs,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “This facility is going to transform so many lives for the better, and I am grateful to Tim Robinson and all of ARC for their commitment to turning the closing of the Bellefonte Hospital into a new opportunity for enhanced care – something Eastern Kentucky needs and deserves.”   

“This is a historic day for our community. Not only will this facility provide Kentuckians a second chance to build a life, but it will also write another chapter in the Bellefonte Hospital legacy,” said Rep. Danny Bentley. “I appreciate the efforts of all involved. We know we can accomplish great things for Greenup County and our region, but we must work together.”

ARC first announced its plans to develop the campus in December 2021, following the hospital’s 2020 closure after nearly 70 years of service, and finalized the purchase agreement for a portion of the campus in March 2022.

“We’ve been proud to be a part of ARC’s growth in other parts of the state, including their revitalization of the former St. Catharine’s College campus in Springfield, Kentucky,” said Jake Schirmer and Art Walker of Walker Land Company.“We are encouraged to see the Bellefonte project moving full steam ahead and am confident that ARC will have a transformative impact on another one of our communities here in the commonwealth.”

“We have seen a significant increase in the number of clients entering treatment who are diagnosed not just substance use disorder, but with severe mental illness, as well,” added Robinson. “ARC’s Greenup County facility will help meet the growing demand for comprehensive behavioral health services that address the needs of one of our most vulnerable populations.”

ARC is working toward a partial opening date in late 2023/early 2024, with renovations expected to begin before the end of Q1. The treatment facility is expected to create approximately 200 new, local jobs, including nurses, counselors, case managers and maintenance workers, pending the building code’s determination on occupancy rate.

Today, Addiction Recovery Care operates more than 30 treatment programs in 21 Eastern and Central Kentucky counties. Since opening the doors to their first residential treatment center in 2010, ARC has served more than 54,000 clients.