ORANGEBURG, S.C. — The building of a new era is underway in Orangeburg county.
Community members and local officials came together for the ground breaking ceremony for the nearly $10 million new Orangeburg county library, that will soon take up residency on Russell street.
Construction work has already begun on the property that once was a Piggly Wiggly.
The 40,000 square foot facility will now house a conference center, 80 computer stations, dedicated art space and multi-purpose rooms and the community is thrilled.
"They put great thought in not just the building in of itself but what it’s going to do for the community and that’s what you want to hear" says Rachelle Jamerson-Holmes, a native of Orangeburg county.
Leonard Pelzer runs a business in the downtown area and says he's excited for the breathe of fresh air that will come along with the new building. "It brings development downtown. It brings more investment downtown and it’s going to be bringing more community downtown" says Pelzer.
"Libraries now a days are more modern" says Harold Young, county administrator, "They deal more with technology than paperbacks and at the end of the day our future in our education is for our kids. This is a strong statement to the kids in the community and college community that the county is listening and we you so matter."
Officials say the facility is set to open within the next 18-24 months