Norfolk Southern is laying the groundwork to open a new, permanent field office in East Palestine just over six months after a toxic train derailment rocked the small town.

According to a release from Norfolk Southern, the new location will be located at 248 North Market Street and house all Norfolk Southern functions in East Palestine "for the long term."

The new office will also house Norfolk Southern's Family Assistance Center once it opens, but the company says that it will remain at it's current location in Rebecca's Place. 

Norfolk Southern also thanked Centenary United Methodist Church for its willingness to lease it's space to Norfolk Southern as the company seeks to mitigate the effects of the derailment in East Palestine.

In a statement, Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw said, in part, "The church has been a home away from home for hundreds of Norfolk Southern employees and contractors, and the congregation's warmth and willingness to open their doors to us will never be forgotten."

According to Norfolk Southern, building renovations will begin this fall and start with an update to the exterior, which will add a brick facade for the building to better fit the aesthetic of downtown East Palestine.

The building is located just across the street from the historic train depot, which is still slated to be donated to East Palestine to use in whatever way they see fit following its own slate of exterior renovations.

To date, Norfolk Southern has committed $68 million to East Palestine and the surrounding communities.