Construction is officially underway on a new Welcome Center at Adams Lake State Park, the result of years of planning, persistence, and collaboration among local and state partners.
The new facility, located at 14633 State Route 41 near West Union, will serve as a hub for visitors seeking information about Adams County’s many attractions—from Amish shops and outdoor adventures to festivals, quilt barns, Serpent Mound, and the county’s renowned nature preserves.
The vision for a Welcome Center dates back more than a decade, when Adams County Commissioners Brian Baldridge, Paul Worley, and Stephen Caraway first began championing the idea alongside the Adams County Travel & Visitors Bureau. That vision moved closer to reality in 2020, when former State Representative Brian Baldridge secured an initial $350,000 appropriation in the state’s capital budget to fund the project.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic soon brought unforeseen challenges. Construction material costs skyrocketed in 2022, and bids for the Welcome Center exceeded $500,000—far beyond the original budget. Despite efforts to downsize the project and find savings, the financial shortfall remained a barrier.
Determined not to let the project stall, Adams County Economic & Community Development, then led by Paul Worley, the Adams County Commissioners, and the Travel Bureau continued their efforts. In 2024, State Representative Justin Pizzulli and State Senator Terry Johnson successfully secured an additional $350,000 from a one-time strategic investment in the capital budget, putting the project back on track.
“We’re excited to announce the construction of the new Adams County Welcome Center at Adams Lake,” the Adams County Board of Commissioners said in a joint statement. “This project is all about boosting tourism and making sure visitors get the best first impression of our county. We’re confident this will draw more visitors to our area and create new opportunities for our community to grow and thrive.”
The Welcome Center, designed by David Stone of TSHD Architects in Portsmouth, will feature a lobby, reception area, two offices, a workroom with storage, and a restroom for staff. Visitors to the park will also have access to public restrooms and a water fountain accessible from an exterior entrance. A broad front porch, furnished with donated pieces from Miller’s Bakery & Furniture, will offer shaded seating with a view of Adams Lake.
In addition to state funding, The Nature Conservancy contributed $20,000 toward construction and later awarded a $25,000 grant for educational and informational displays inside the center. The Adams County Travel & Visitors Bureau also donated $5,000 toward the project.
Following a competitive bidding process handled by Adams County Economic & Community Development, AxCraft General Contractors was awarded the contract with a winning bid of $539,000.
The project would not have been possible without the support of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, which provided the site at Adams Lake State Park. In addition, the Adams County Commissioners made a major infrastructure investment by extending sewage services north of West Union to include the park.
According to contractors at a construction meeting held on Wednesday, April 23, the new Adams County Welcome Center is expected to be completed by early July.
When finished, the Welcome Center will not only serve as a gateway for tourists but also as a community asset, hosting special events and helping Adams County continue its growth as a premier destination in southern Ohio.
