Always be prepared. The words spoken as Washington County announces the construction of a new Emergency Operations Center.

The facility's main purpose will be a meeting area during any type of emergency in Washington County. During off times it will be able to be used for trainings, meetings, and a back up for dispatchers.

Currently in Washington County, and in the past, there has not been a common meeting area for city or county officials when an emergency happens. During floods and bad storms, authorities are left scrambling to find a room to serve all their needs.

This new center is all made possible through a state grant and the county commissioners. It is a $475,000 project. The grant will fund $237,500 and the county will fund $237,500.