The building will combine several flood-impacted county departments into one building, reducing overall costs and increasing efficiency.

“The groundbreaking of this building speaks to the efforts made by county officials to rebuild smarter and stronger. The idea of reducing the number of buildings and pulling service-related offices together under one roof, speaks to smart planning and more efficient ways to serve county residents,” said Lieutenant Governor Patty Judge. “Events like this allow us to celebrate your hard work and dedication, and they also help those who live and work here reestablish a sense of normalcy.”

The Culver-Judge I-JOBS initiative is contributing $5 million to the building project in addition to approximately $7.3 million in FEMA funds. Construction bids came in low, so the County anticipates the need for local property tax dollars to be minimal.

“This is an exciting day for us,” said Linn County Supervisor Chairwoman Linda Langston. “We wouldn’t be where we are today without the team effort by so many different people and organizations.”

Linn County Community Services provides financial management, administrative and planning services for its human service departments. Linn County Community Services also organizes and participates in many community human services activities and collaboratives. LCCS departments that will be located in this new building include the Aging and Disability Resource Center, Home Health, General Assistance, Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities and Options of Linn County. Options of Linn County works with community businesses to provide employment services to more than 350 adults with disabilities annually.

Other Linn County departments that will be located in the building include Linn County Veteran Affairs and Linn County Information Technology. These departments are separate from Linn County Community Services.