LEXINGTON, S.C. — The Columbia FBI on Thursday opened a new field office in Lexington County, which they say will allow them to perform their duties better.
“I’m proud that we’re officially opening this larger, modernized space capable of hosting all the members of our workforce together,” FBI Director Christopher A. Wray said.
The agency celebrated this new chapter with a building that stretches over 80,000 square feet. They say that prior to the opening, investigations were running from three separate locations around Columbia.
“We’re proud of this building. It represents our ability to do the job better, and not only just for ourselves as an agency, but as well as our partners,” Columbia FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Philip Tejera said.
Officials say this project is especially impressive because it broke ground three years ago during the height of the pandemic and now stands ready to operate.
Tejera says the new building is equipped with modern technology such as new computers and systems that will help process data in larger quantities.
“With the new building comes the latest and greatest technology that’s available, and we’re fortunate enough to have that in this office to affect our mission to protect the American people,” Tejera said.
Although they have a new face to their building, officials say one thing will always remain the same.
“Within these walls, our dedicated employees will continue to work tirelessly to combat crime, investigate threats and defend the principles that form the bedrock of our society,” Special Agent in Charge Steven J. Jensen said.
The new Columbia FBI office is now open, and officials say they look forward to running operations closer to their fellow agents.