United Way of McLeod County Board President Kathy Silvernale announced today that the organization has relocated its offices to the new Hope Center (218 Main Street South) in downtown Hutchinson. The relocated UWMC office became operational following the Memorial Day weekend. Under the terms of the rental agreement, the UWMC will lease space directly from the building’s owner CGE Properties LLC.

“As an organization this is absolutely the right time for us to move into the new Hope Center,” said Silvernale. “As we continue to grow as a United Way, it is imperative that we are in a location that over time will become familiar to residents of McLeod County. It just makes a lot of sense for us to be in a non-profit center.”

Time and materials for the general build-out of the UWMC office were donated by Compton Anderson Construction Company, United Building Centers, Jeff’s Electric and Plumbing & Heating by Craig. Additionally, work and materials were given by A #1 Locksmithing, Ace Hardware, Crow River Glass, Hillyard Floor-Care Supply Company, Mandelkow Flooring, Peterson Four Seasons, Brost Drywall and Viking Signs & Graphics. Office furnishings were provided by the Hutchinson Telephone Company, Green Solutions North America Inc., Ed Davis Business Machines Inc., Wells Fargo and by a grant from the Burich Foundation.

“This spring we conducted a county-wide survey to measure community impact and one the prevalent responses we received to our inquiry was that we needed to office in a more public place,” said Executive Director Paul Thompson. “We want to thank our former landlord Mark Schmidt for allowing us a great place to grow over the last two years.”

The UWMC supports programs in the areas of: emergency and basic needs, health and human services, child development and community development. In 2008 the local chapter of the United Way is funding 36 agencies encompassing 39 programs that support the organization’s mission of impacting the needs of McLeod County by building stronger, healthier communities.