WELCH, W.Va. -- McDowell County officials are working to expand the Stevens Correctional Center, a move that will allow the county to house 135 additional state inmates and will create 40 jobs.

McDowell County Economic Development Authority executive director Rachel Lester says the county is in the process of acquiring an existing medical building and a private business as part of the two-phase, $7 million expansion project.

Lester says the expansion of the medium-security prison will help ease the overcrowding in the state's prison system. She says the project is fully supported by the Division of Corrections.

Stevens Correctional Center is located in Welch and opened in 2006.

WELCH, W.Va. -- McDowell County officials are working to expand the Stevens Correctional Center, a move that will allow the county to house 135 additional state inmates and will create 40 jobs.

McDowell County Economic Development Authority executive director Rachel Lester says the county is in the process of acquiring an existing medical building and a private business as part of the two-phase, $7 million expansion project.

Lester says the expansion of the medium-security prison will help ease the overcrowding in the state's prison system. She says the project is fully supported by the Division of Corrections.

Stevens Correctional Center is located in Welch and opened in 2006.