The Simpson County Extension Service has worked diligently with local elected officials and stakeholders toward a long-term plan for construction of a new educational building.  In 2012 and 2013, the Extension District Board had strongly considered purchasing property on the outskirts of town in order to have room to expand to meet clientele needs.  At this time, the Extension District Board did not own any land or buildings.   To ensure the longevity of the Extension Service in the downtown area which provides equal geographical accessibility to Simpson County residents, the Simpson County Fiscal Court worked closely with the Extension District Board to provide incentives to stay downtown.

The Simpson County Extension District Board was able to assume ownership of the old post office building which is where the Extension Office was operating.  The Extension District Board was also able to purchase the adjacent lot to the north which ran from Main Street to Court St.  This lot houses the Extension Pavilion that was completed in 2015 whose primary purpose is to be utilized by the Franklin-Simpson Farmers’ Market.  It has also been used for several educational programs reaching all program areas.  Additionally, the Simpson County Fiscal Court assisted the Extension Service in acquiring the eastern half of the next lot to the north near the same time.  In 2017, the Simpson County Fiscal Court entered into an agreement allowing the Simpson County Extension Service the right of first refusal on the property directly to the east of the old Post Office building (current Extension Office) where the old Volunteer Fire Station currently sits renewable every five years.   The court did not convey ownership to the Extension District Board at the time because while this station was not operational the Fire Department stores several items in this building.  Later on, the county Facility Maintenance Supervisor’s Office was created and placed in that building.  The right of first refusal was renewed in 2021.  The Extension District Board purchased an additional lot on the eastern half of the State Farm property in 2023 in order to have additional parking for future facility expansion.

The Extension District Board voted unanimously in October 2024 to pursue asking the court to exercise the right of first refusal that was stated at $1 in the existing agreement.  The Simpson County Extension Agent for Agriculture & Natural Resources presented on behalf of the Extension District Board at the Fiscal Court meeting in December communicating the board’s request.   Much explanation was required about the agreement since only one of the five court members was a member of the Fiscal Court when the standing agreement took place.  After the presentation, the Fiscal Court voted unanimously to exercise the right of first refusal for $ 1 in December 2027.  This will allow for the property to be deeded to the Extension District Board prior to projected construction in 2029-2030.  Simpson County suffers from a shortage of meeting space with technological limitations.  The current projection is that the new facility will feature seating for at least 170 people banquet style, demonstration kitchen areas, technological capabilities for all types of meetings, and restrooms.  This will allow the Extension Service campus to serve as a hub for educational programming for Simpson County residents in the future.