Citizens National Bank broke ground on June 11 on a 15,000-square-foot expansion of its existing Operations Center, located just off I-75.

The addition will provide approximately 24 new offices for the building, which currently houses the bank's Operations, IT, Compliance, Marketing and Call Center departments.

According to J. Michael Romey, President/CEO of Citizens, the bank has seen continued growth over the past years and the additional staff that requires has caused a shortage in office space with the existing facilities.

"As we plan ahead, our goal is to make sure we have adequate backroom support and comfortable workspaces for our staff in order to ensure success for future growth opportunities in existing and new markets. This expansion will offer us that opportunity."

The project is expected to take nine months. Upon completion, the building will be approximately double the size it is today and allow some departments currently housed in the Bluffton branch office to move to the new facility.

"We look forward to the flexibility adding this new space will provide in allowing us to move forward with further expansion and providing more support for our sales staff in the future," said Romey.