Ludowici and Long County community leaders, along with dignitaries from Tattnall County, turned out in force for Ludowici Bank’s groundbreaking ceremony on a new bank building Thursday. The new building is under construction in front of the existing bank off Highway 84 in Ludowici. Bank operations will continue as normal throughout the construction process in both the lobby and drive-through lanes.
Ludowici Bank, along with Reidsville Bank, Tippins Bank in Claxton, and Statesboro Bank are divisions of Glennville Bank, the corporate banking entity.
Prior to officially breaking ground with ceremonial gold shovels, Glennville Bank President Will J. Sheffield gave a brief speech, explaining the background of the project. Sheffield also introduced Glennville Bank CEO Tracy Durrence and the Glennville Bank Board of Directors who approved the project on behalf of bank shareholders. The board of directors include Chairman Bill Durrence, Jr., Ronnie Barnhill, Eddie Bradley, Wendy Durrence, Jimmy McCurdy, Mike Mulligan, Charlton Rogers, Alan Sikes, Nick Tatum, Donna Tootle, Terry Waters and Ricky Wilson.
“The new bank building was designed by Frank Darchangelo of DPR Architecture in Statesboro,” Sheffield said. “The building will contain 4,000-plus square feet with a similar exterior design to our main office in Glennville and our recently constructed office in Statesboro. The bank will be constructed by Jonathan Overholt with Overholt Construction of Jesup. We expect the project to take approximately 12 months.
“Back in 1998-1999, when we started discussing possible locations of our first remote branch, the decision to open an office in Ludowici was a very easy one to make,” he told the crowd. “The people of Long County and Ludowici have been very good to the Glennville Bank for many years. Now, 20 years later, as a result of your continued support, we are able to expand and improve our presence in the Long County-Ludowici market.”
Sheffield recognized Jimmy McCurdy, building and grounds committee chairman, for his role in the construction, renovation and maintenance of Glennville Bank’s seven locations.
He also asked Long County Sheriff Craig Nobles to say a few words. Nobles is a member of the Glennville Bank Advisory Board of Directors. Advisory board members represent each market the Glennville Bank serves, according to Sheffield. Nobles’ late father, Sheriff Cecil Nobles, was a Glennville Bank director for 14 years, he said.
Nobles described the growth Long County is experiencing, such as new homes being built and the recent completion of a new school opening in time for the start of classes. He said he was confident the bank will serve these potential new customers well.