RINCON -- Georgia Heritage Federal Credit Union broke ground on a new branch office in Rincon on Tuesday at the intersection of Highway 21 and Silverwood Center Drive.

“We are thrilled to be breaking ground in Rincon,” said Dale Taratuta, president and CEO of Georgia Heritage Federal Credit Union. “This location will enable us to enhance the level of service and convenience we offer to current and prospective credit union members in Effingham County.”

The new 2,600 square-foot office will feature three bby teller stations, a technology center, three offices, a conference room, a waiting area with coffee bar, two full-service drive-up teller lanes and a 24-hour ATM lane for added member convenience.

Founded in 1940 to provide banking services to employees working at the Union Bag Corporation, Georgia Heritage FCU is a not-for-profit financial cooperative and one of the oldest locally owned financial institutions in the area.

GHFCU expanded its field of membership to a community charter credit union in 2006 offering financial services to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Chatham, Effingham, or Bryan counties in Georgia.

“Plans for this project have been in the works for some time,” Taaratuta said. “It is exciting to see those plans being put into motion and for us to continue to strive to make a difference in our community and in the lives of our members.”

Eclipse Brand Builders was selected to provide turnkey design-build services for the project, including architecture, engineering, interior design and full-time on-site construction management. Eclipse will execute the construction of the project using local sub-contractors and local suppliers for all labor and building materials through a competitive bid process, keeping construction dollars in the community.

Credit Union officials estimate that the new office will be open for business in the spring of 2018.