Credit union breaks ground in Evans
A goal of expansion was realized by CSRA Federal Credit Union on Aug. 3 as credit union members broke ground on a new Evans branch off Belair Road.
Members of CSRA Federal Credit Union and Columbia County's Chamber of Commerce break ground for a new branch of the credit union off Belair Road in Evans.
Photo by Preston Sparks
It will be the credit union's first branch outside Richmond County and its fourth branch overall.
"This has been our strategy and goal," said Charm McCall, president and chief executive officer of CSRA Federal Credit Union. "It's a tremendous day."
McCall said construction of the 2,000 square foot building next to the Evans 14 movie theater should take about six months. The branch will employ six people and will offer full service and four drive through lanes, she said.
Currently, the credit union's main office is located on Wheeler Road in Richmond County. The union has two other branches - one on Tobacco Road in south Augusta, the other at the Augusta-Richmond County post office on Eighth Street, where the credit union began in the 1950s.
McCall said her credit union started a community charter a couple of years ago to broaden its horizons with counties including McDuffie, Columbia and Burke. The Columbia County branch is part of that expansive goal.
"Our focus, our drive and our goal is to serve as many people as we can," she said.
At Tuesday's ground breaking, McCall thanked the Evans 14 movie theater and First Baptist Church of Evans for accepting the credit union in the area.
"We already feel like part of the community," she said.
Gordon Renshaw, executive director of the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, also welcomed the credit union at the ground breaking.
"You're now a chamber member," he said. "Call upon us."
Wayne Bridges, chairman of the chamber of commerce said his chamber had a lot in common with the credit union because it, too, is relatively new, being only a couple of years old.
"It's always great to welcome new neighbors into Columbia County," he said. "We are sort of babes ourselves."