(LAGRANGE) - The LaGrange County Community Foundation celebrated the groundbreaking of its new headquarters on Thursday.

The Community Foundation purchased a medical office located at the intersection of U.S. 20 and 250 West at the end of 2019. The plans are to renovate and expand the building as its new headquarters. After delays brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, renovation at the facility has now started. Lehman Construction of Shipshewana will complete the project.

The project will feature a new addition, increased parking space, and complete renovation of the building’s office and lobby space. The project is on target to be completed by the end of 2020. The Community Foundation anticipates moving into the new facility in mid-January of next year.

The facility will contain 3,000 square feet of office space, including an 800 square foot community room available for nonprofit use. The community room will be equipped with multi-media technology and will seat 30 people comfortably and provide space to host small gatherings and meetings. The community room will be available free of charge to local nonprofits and civic groups.

Octavia Yoder, Executive Director of the Community Foundation says they are excited to provide a community space for nonprofits. She says the addition will be an asset to the community, be handicap accessible, and provide a gathering space for the community.

The Community Foundation had been setting aside funds for several years, which allowed the organization to purchase the property using available cash so no mortgage was required. A portion of the cost of the building was funded using a gift the Foundation received at the beginning of 2019.

Neal Wolheter, Community Foundation Board President says it is important to the Foundation to honor those who have been a vital part of it. He says it is because of their dedication the Foundation is able to fulfill its mission. Wolheter says the new headquarters will be a beacon for LaGrange County not just today but well into the future.

The new headquarters is on track to be open February of 2021.