A long-time downtown Center business is scheduled to start construction soon on a new complex that will have it re-locating to Hurst Street, adjacent to the Wal-Mart shopping center.

Center Motor Company has announced plans to build a new state-of-the art Ford Motor Company designed building that will contain over 16-thousand square feet, General Manager Kevin Jones told Center Broadcasting yesterday. He says groundbreaking should take place in February, with an estimated 8-month construction period.

Jones says Center Motor Company’s new building will be built between Wal-Mart and the Hampton Inn, and should be finished in time to showcase 17 of Ford Motor Company’s 25 new or refreshed models appearing world-wide this year.

Jones added that with the new location they expect to add 5 more employees, including service technicians and sales positions, to the current staff of 20. Jones says the City of Center was a big help in getting a grant to build a new street that will border the north side of the proposed building to allow access from Hurst Street.

Center Motor Company started in 1951 where the Pizzeria’s located on San Augustine Street, and moved to its present location on Shelbyville Street in 1990 when the Jones family purchased Parker Motor Company.