By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

The Chilton County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for Matt Benson’s State Farm office.

This is the first State Farm office Benson has owned.

In addition to the traditional insurance coverage that State Farm provides, the office will also have State Farm Bank.

“Our big thing is protecting people for what can happen and what could happen, and so the big thing there is State Farm Bank,” Benson said.

This will include car and boat loans, life insurance, retirement and business insurance. Benson is getting his mortgage license, so he will also be able to serve clients through home loans next year.

“The biggest thing we want to do for our clients is honor and education. The education aspect of insurance and financial services in the area, …from our conversations, has been lacking. We want to educate our clients,” Benson said.

The office, which is located on Route 145, opened on Nov. 1.

Benson has family in the area and lives nearby in Calera.

“The opportunity came up to be here in Clanton and Chilton County is beginning to take off growthwise, plus I just love the town and the people. They are a lot more laid back, so it’s a good opportunity to come work with people that mesh with my personality,” Benson said.

Benson said he had worked at a State Farm Office in college and followed opportunities to become an agent.