Written by Kelsey Vickers, intern with The Messenger

The City of Brundidge is currently undergoing $7 million worth of construction projects and over the next few months, there will be new buildings opening up and current business expansions.

Mayor Jimmy Ramage said that one of the main construction projects in the city is the opening of the Fresenius dialysis facility.

“We’re very excited about the opening of this new dialysis center,” Ramage said. “The city is very lucky to have this opportunity.”

Fresenius Medical Care is the nation’s largest network of dialysis facilities and will help better serve the area’s growing dialysis community.

The facility will be 8,000 square feet and will be a 10-station dialysis clinic.

Britt Thomas, city manager, said that the center will be located on U.S. Highway 231 and is expected to be completed either at the end of this year or early next year.

“This facility will be a tremendous help in creating jobs for the city,” Thomas said.

The city has also approved the site for the construction of a Fred’s dollar store, which will also include a Getwell Drug & Dollar.

“It’s great that we will have a new stand-alone facility, which will be on the grounds of the old Piggly Wiggly,” Ramage shared.

Ramage also said, with the help of the approval of grants and loans, there will be a substantial physical expansion for the Southern Classic Food Group, LLC.

There is also an additional $1 million project that will result in a new cultural arts center facility for Pike County High School that is set to be complete this fall.

“[Students] are already involved in various choral activities…the fact that they will have an actual arts center now is a big plus.”

Ramage also said the school is currently in the early process of developing a new athletic department.

Regarding why the town is doing so well in terms of construction, Ramage said the small city is very lucky.

“Businesses look at where people are, and with less than 2,100 people, the chance to have that kind of attention and to be given these opportunities is wonderful,” Ramage said.

Thomas echoed that all the changes will be positive for the community.

“It means that our city is very fortunate,” Thomas noted. “It’s great that these companies believe in our community.”

Ramage and Thomas both agreed that the biggest change all these construction projects will bring to the city is employment.

“Citizens will have much more access to jobs with these new facilities opening, as well as more competitive pricing,” said Thomas. “It will also provide the city with additional sales tax, which will be very beneficial.”