Agriculture services getting new office

Published 6:00 am Thursday, March 29, 2001

Citizens and government officials who utilize U.S. Department ofAgriculture services will soon have easier access followingcompletion of a new office complex in Brookhaven.

District and county offices for the USDA’s Farm Service Agency,Rural Development and Natural Resources Conservation Service willbe moving to a new facility being built on Johnny Johnson Drive offBrookway Boulevard Extension. The facility, being built by StanleyColeman of Carthage, is targeted for completion June 16, saidDwayne Oberschmidt, FSA county executive director.

“He thinks it’s going to be finished before that date,”Oberschmidt said. “It’s going pretty well out there.”

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County offices, which provide assistance on an individualcitizen basis, for the USDA agencies had been on Sandybrook Driveuntil the building was bought by Jeff Wilson for a new automobiledealership. The offices have been located in the Kees Building onSouth First Street since October.

District offices, which focus on help for government agencies,have been spread around the area. The NRCS district office is onIndustrial Park Road, the Rural Development district office onLance Alworth Drive and the FSA district office is in Magnolia.

All will be moving to Johnny Johnson Drive later this year.Oberschmidt said the offices will have five-year lease on thebuilding with an option for a five-year renewal.

Oberschmidt said there will be approximately 26 employees at thenew site. The USDA offices will join others, including the SocialSecurity Administration and the state Tax Commission, that havebeen built on Johnny Johnson Drive recently.

The USDA offices serve Franklin and other area counties.Officials said having all the offices in one location will helpprovide easier access and service to their clientele.

“The access on and off the interstate is going to be great,”Oberschmidt said.