Small Town News

New Stearns County Service Center now open

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Stearns County's Service Center will be entirely open for business beginning Tuesday, Oct. 6. The last of the three divisions to move into the new building, Human Services Community Corrections, moved into the building this past weekend.

The move happened in three consecutive weekends, to accommodate the three divisions located in the Service Center. The first move was License Center West, which completely relocated from 3335 West St. Germain near Wal-mart. That office is now closed.

License Center office hours are 8-5, but the drive-through will remain open until 5:30 for renewals only and property tax payment drop-offs. Questions can be directed to License Center West at (320) 656-6540.

Human Services Public Health Division moved the second weekend. Now WIC clinics, paternity testing, immunization clinics, medication office visits and all other Public Health services previously offered downtown will be obtained at the new Service Center location.

Lastly, Human Services Community Corrections, all but the Juvenile Unit, finished their move out to the Stearns County Service Center Oct. 5. Community Corrections services offered at this location will include adult supervision, drug testing and probation reporting.

Located in Waite Park, at 3301 County Road 138, about one block west of Mills Fleet Farm off 28th Avenue South, residents will find the new facility easy to access off Highway 23 and I-94. There will be directional signs for the facility posted in both directions on County Road 75, Highway 23 and 28th Avenue South (which runs by Mills Fleet Farm).

In addition to its more convenient location for many Stearns County residents who won't have to drive downtown, this building also offers ample free parking -238 parking spaces.

Approximately 90 employees will be located at the new 45,000-square-footStearnsCounty Service Center.

Stearns County has outgrown its current facilities and it's estimated this building will accommodate the County through the year 2050. The Service Center was also designed for expansion, both out and up, and could potentially double in size. There's room for additions to the north and east of the existing building.

Although construction costs aren't completely calculated, numbers show this building project will be finished under budget. Exactly how much will be known once all final costs have been figured.



Copyright 2009 Tri-County News, Kimball, Minnesota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2010 Tri-County News Kimball, Minnesota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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