Author: Jason Phillips
Planning Unit: Simpson County CES
Major Program: Economic Development
Plan of Work: Unrelated to a specified County Plan of Work
Outcome: Long-Term Outcome
The Simpson County Extension Office moved to its current location in 1986, an old post office building. The Extension building was owned by the County until 2018 when it was deeded to the Simpson County Extension Service. Since 1986 the Extension Office had not been renovated so the District Board voted to renovate the upstairs office space in 2019. However, before renovations began the Extension Office downstairs flooded with 6 inches of water from door to door in February 2019. This forced the District Board to first renovate the downstairs. Renovations included new flooring, paint, lightning, and appliances downstairs. The renovation took six months and resulted in one additional meeting room being created, a project room for 4-H clubs. It also created an improved storage area for the office.
Once the downstairs renovations were complete the District Board moved forward with the upstairs renovations. The renovations were completed in 3 months, while Extension staff relocated into temporary offices downstairs. The Extension Office upstairs had one meeting room with a capacity of 18, along with agent & staff offices, bathrooms, and an employee kitchen. 3,000 square feet of office space was realigned to maintain the current meeting room and agent offices, while adding a 10 seat conference room, a permanent sewing room for the 4-H Sewing Club & Homemakers, and partition office space for two staff assistants and a bookkeeper. Prior to the renovations a front foyer area had been used for sewing because sewing leaders were unable to access the downstairs due to the steps. The new sewing area includes 10 sewing machines on permanent tables, along with three sewing storage cabinets. The sewing area is used multiple times a month by Extension & Community groups, and can also be used as a third meeting room when needed due to accessibilty.
All staff offices are now behind walls & a locked door with a walk-up window. Previously when clientele were in the office after hours staff work areas were not secure and accessible to anyone. The renovation budget was $141,500 and Extension staff spent countless hours overseeing both the upstairs and downstairs renovations. Agents & staff spent one year stopping whatever they might be in the middle of to answer contractor questions, make renovation decisions, move equipment, etc. The Extension District Board, Extension clientele, and Extension staff are pleased with the renovations & additional meeting space that allow us to better serve clientele.
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