(RUTHERFORD COUNTY) - UPDATE: Earlier this year, the Rutherford County Commission voted to move forward with intentions of buying the State Farm building at the intersection of Memorial Boulevard and DeJarnette Lane in Murfreesboro.
With big ideas in mind for the 403-thousand square foot building, County Mayor Bill Ketron helped to orchestrate an intent to purchase letter to the organization that owns the building and 60 (plus) acres of land.
Furthermore, Ketron continues to highlight the need for a locally operated Forensic Center and morgue, which would save the county over $630-thousand annually. The center could also be utilized by MTSU students aiming to go into medical studies...
Currently, the county sends the bodies of those who die of drug overdoses and suicides to Nashville for autopsies, but the old State Farm building would eliminate that need altogether. Mayor Ketron elaborated...
Today, Rutherford County lacks storage space for our loved ones who could pass away in a mass casulty, should that ever occur...
Helping to fund the purchase, approximately 10 nearby counties have already agreed to use the Forensic Center, which would bring in over $2-million annually for that service.
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If the out of state investment group that owns the property agrees to sell the building to Rutherford County, then the county could use the structure to house administrative offices for the Sheriff's office, Emergency Management Services and Rutherford County Fire & Rescue.
Mayor Ketron has goals of using a section of the well maintained building to house a large-scale dispatch center for the Sheriff's Office and the Ambulance Service.
Money to purchase the building could come from special COVID funds that are now available, along with county and city dollars.
WGNS will keep you informed.
