A Thursday meeting of Youngstown’s third ward not only touched on important local improvement plans, but also highlighted the new veterans service center that hosted the meeting.

Residents who attended the meeting got the chance to tour the new Mahoning County Veterans Service Commission on Belmont Avenue.

The commission’s previous location on Oak Hill hindered them from expanding, making it difficult to hire new employees to help veterans in need.

Administrators with the service center said the new space will offer more room for the facility and will also be conveniently located across the street from the Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic, which will help extend even more services to veterans.

“It’s brand new, so we’re excited about that, and we’re excited to offer more services to the veterans and their families that we weren’t able to do in previous years,” Executive Director of Mahoning County Veterans Services Susan Krawchyk said.

The facility is set to open officially on Saturday, and will be open to the public in April. An additional grand opening ceremony will take place in May.

The new facility is located at 1915 Belmont Ave, Youngstown, OH.