Farm Bureau expanding into new communities

Published 8:11 am Thursday, January 17, 2019

Farm Bureau Insurance has sat on North Lynn Avenue for many years, but after a period of growth, the company has decided it is time to expand into more communities.

Andy Scott, an insurance agent at the company and one of the people in charge of the expansion plan, said they have wanted to move into a new place for the past several years, but finding the right fit took time.

“We found a good place about two months ago, and that is when the plans really took shape,” Scott said.

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The target is the old Big Lots building on Highway 19E, just next door to the shopping center with Little Caesar’s on one end and the Mayflower Seafood Restaurant on the other.

“We found the area’s foot traffic appealing,” he said. “There are many other businesses moving in there, as well, which helps.”

Pulling up a map reveals the expansion is only a few miles away from their original location on North Lynn, but Scott said the new location is vital to providing ease of access for customers in the Hampton and Valley Forge areas.

“Even if it is only a few miles difference, it helps,” he said.

Many other businesses and organizations are planning to take up some of the space inside the building, including the DMV. Farm Bureau Insurance currently plans to take up a little less than a quarter of the space.

He said the expansion into the shopping center was due to a complete lack of space in their current location.

“We are almost maxed out here,” Scott said. “We currently serve about 9,000 members here, which is about equal to 20,000 to 25,000 people insured. This building cannot hold much more.”

Scott himself said he plans on moving to the new location, but said he plans to keep his current list of clients from his current space.

“We will provide the same service as before,’ Scott said. “This just gives people a second location and makes us more accessible.”

Scott said the company is currently working on building their space within the building’s shell. He said Farm Bureau Insurance currently plans on opening their new location within the next 60 days.

Those planning to make the move with them will be able to find Farm Bureau Insurance at 1729 Highway 19E, near the Little Caesar’s and Mayflower restaurants.