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By STEVEN CALHOUN/Staff Writer

Jemison will soon have a third bank near the intersection of Alabama 31 and Chilton County 42.

Marion Bank and Trust Company held a pre-bid meeting with contractors Jan. 8 to review the terms of the construction contract and look over the site of the build.

The new bank will replace the Alfa Insurance building and the empty building beside Jemison City Hall. Alfa Insurance will have a space in the new building, according to an Alfa employee.

After a walk around the site, contractors and Marion representatives met in City Hall.

The contract Marion proposed allowed bidders 11 months to complete construction after they have been notified to proceed. According to Marion representatives, this means the construction might be complete by the end of 2017.

“We were looking at an area that was a growth area. Chilton County seems to fit our model for what we wanted to accomplish,” Marion’s Chief Executive Officer Conrad Taylor said.

Marion Bank and Trust recently opened a full-service branch in Maplesville. The location was previously a Loan Production Office and was upgraded in 2016 to a full-service bank.

Now, the company has set its sights on Jemison.

“I think there’s a need from the community for a true community bank,” Marion’s Vice President Brad Jackson said. “We look forward to satisfying that need for the people in this community.”

Marion Bank and Trust opened in Marion, Alabama in 1934. It added a branch in Selma in 2008 and the Maplesville branch in 2016. Jemison will be the fourth location and most recent expansion for the company.