Contractor builds bank branch

Contractor builds bank branch

A partial rendering of the Southern Michigan Bank & Trust branch planned for Portage. Courtesy Orion Construction

A contractor has broken ground on the next branch for a bank in the region.

Grand Rapids-based Orion Construction said this week that it's building the Southern Michigan Bank & Trust branch in Portage, at 531 W. Kilgore Rd.

Integrated Architecture in Grand Rapids is serving as the project’s architect.

The $880,000 project began last month and should be completed in mid October.

The single story, 2,600-square-foot branch will be part of the Westnedge@Kilgore development, which is owned by Hinman in Portage, a property development and management firm. Hinman is leasing the land to the bank.

The branch will sit next to Lowe’s and the new Earth Fare supermarket.

Coldwater-based Southern Michigan Bank & Trust is “very well respected in the industry, and we expect the company will find success in this market,” said Roger Hinman, CEO, Hinman.

The branch will feature a 24 hour drive-up ATM and drive-through lanes.

Orion Construction said the branch will be built to LEED standards, using low volatile organic compound, or VOC, paints, caulks, adhesives and flooring and employ an “aggressive” waste management and recycling program on site.

“We commend them for their decision to go green with the construction,” said John Boonstra, CEO, Orion Construction.

Southern Michigan Bank & Trust was founded in 1872 and operates branches throughout Branch, Hillsdale, St. Joseph and Calhoun counties.