After about 19 years on Ford Avenue, Bryan Bank and Trust now offers an additional banking center for Bryan County residents off Hwy. 17.

“We’re very proud of the past successes we’ve enjoyed here in Bryan County and we’re excited about this new start for us,” said bank President Dell Keith. “This is the future and we’re looking forward to doing more in this community.”

The bank, whose first branch opened in 1989, opened its second local branch Wednesday – but don’t be deceived by how big it looks.

The inside of the bank is about 3,000 square feet and will house five employees, all of whom have worked with the company for several years. The senior staff of the bank will all remain at the home branch on Ford Avenue.

Behind the branch is a new banking operations center, which takes up about 8,500 square feet.

Savannah Bancorp, the holding company for Bryan Bank and Trust, was formerly leasing its building in downtown Savannah. Keith said, after discussion between the bank’s Board of Directors and Savannah Bancorp, everyone decided it was the perfect opportunity and location for a permanent site for the operations center.

Lyndsey Goodman, a Bryan Bank representative, said the employees are all very excited – and residents are, too.

“This is so convenient,” said Carrie Blackburn, who works for the Richmond Hill-Bryan County Chamber of Commerce. “It’s not that the other branch is far away, but this is easier for me to get to and offers another alternative.”

When the first branch opened, Richmond Hill had about 2,900 residents. Since then, the population has increased by about 350 percent, to 11,000 residents, Mayor Richard Davis said.

“We’ve grown significantly in the past 19 years and Bryan Bank has played a very crucial role in that growth and the development of the community. They’ve done a great job,” Davis said. “With this ribbon cutting today, we’re sure they’re going to do an even better job and play a much larger role. We welcome this branch, it’s our seventh bank in Richmond Hill and I remember when didn’t even have one. It’s a great day for me and I’m excited to participate in it.”

The new bank is going to have its grand opening Aug. 16, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a community event similar to last year’s Summerfest. Goodman said there will be food and prizes and all members of the Bryan Bank and Trust will be there to meet and mingle with the community.