RIBBON CUT AT UNITED CITIZENS BRANCH BANK

The community officially welcomed its newest banking facility Friday when the Columbia-Adair County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony at United Citizens Bank of Southern Kentucky’s new branch bank on Campbellsville Road. The full service branch is located on Campbellsville Road near what will be the starting point of the new Columbia Bypass. United Citizens Bank opened its main bank in Columbia in December, 2004, and this is its first branch location. UCB board of directors chairman Curt Yarberry told the crowd gathered for the event that construction of the facility was done in only ten weeks. Bank president and CEO Dave Johnston noted that they used only local contractors and suppliers for its construction. “We used only local contractors and suppliers, going out of the area only if we couldn’t get something here,” Johnston said. “It may have cost us a little more, but we wanted to keep the money local.” In addition to talking about the new banking facility, Johnston also took the opportunity to announce that the bank will support revitalizing downtown Columbia. “A new Wal-Mart (proposed to be built at the new KY 61 South-Louie B. Nun n Parkway interchange) is not going to solve all the problems,” he said. “We need to keep our downtown area vital and strong. “To help the downtown area, United Citizens Bank will be making available one-half million dollars in low interest loans for opening new businesses or refurbishing existing businesses,” Johnson stated.