Guernsey County Opens New Public Service Building
CAMBRIDGE, OH – A new Public Service Building is officially open in Guernsey County after leaders cut the ribbon Monday afternoon.
With one snip, Guernsey County officially opened the doors to its new Public Service Building. The ribbon came down Monday (08/24) afternoon at 612 Steubenville Avenue.
Inside, the 15-thousand-square-foot building is divided into three spaces, housing Veterans Services, county maintenance, the Board of Elections. Getting those services there took funding from several different sources.
“We paid $400,000 for the building. That was done with ARPA money. We didn’t use taxpayers’ money until we got inside. I couldn’t get any funding for that. So, that was $1.6 million inside. That was done with taxpayers’ dollars.” Guernsey County Commissioner, Jack Marlin, said.
Grant money from the Ohio Department of Development paid for the parking lot, one of the biggest improvements for veterans using this building. Along with easier parking, Veterans Services now has more room and a more visible location.
“We have room to grow. We can do different things. I feel down here now, and we’re trying to think of new ideas to support our veterans and get in there and just take care of them and provide.” Daren Roe, Director of the Guernsey County Veterans Service Office, said.
The new location also gives the Board of Elections more space as thousands of Guernsey County voters continue to take advantage of early voting.
The ribbon may already be cut but now comes the important part. Putting this building to work for the people of Guernsey County.
“We’re thinking of the folks, because that’s what it’s all about. Yeah, we used some of your tax dollars to do this, but it’s going to be beneficial to the veterans that we all should be proud to serve because they served us. As far as the Board of Elections, a lot of people had early voting in 2024.” Marlin said. “The thing is though, that this shows the county folks this is what we’re about. We’re about you.”
The Veterans Service Office will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The new building also features a large conference room for county meetings.
