The first Franklin County offices have moved to the county’s new office building on the southeast side of the Benton Public Square.

The county has been renovating the formerly called Campbell Building in an effort to empty the aging Annex Building – which has sewer and wiring issues that have become a safety hazard.

The Regional Office of Education No. 21 was the first to move its Franklin County offices, opening for business yesterday in the new space.

Regional Superintendent Matt Donkin said one of his predecessors was among the first to move into the Annex Building when it opened in August 1968, so it was only fitting to go first.

Franklin County has paid for the renovations to the former furniture store with proceeds from the refinance of existing bonds.