Gilmer County is in the process of signing contracts to buy a building complex for $4.25 million.
The complex is located at 822 Industrial Boulevard in Ellijay and currently houses some offices for Piedmont Hospital.
It is owned by GMR Ellijay LLC. Last week’s story incorrectly reported it was owned by Piedmont.
Gilmer County Chair Charlie Paris said the original asking price was $5.2 million. Gilmer County offered $4 million. A counter offer was made at $4.4 million, and the parties settled on $4.25 million.
Once the agreement is finalized, Gilmer County will own the office building, the meeting area next door and a residence up behind the office building.
Piedmont will still occupy some offices in the building until its new complex on Highway 515 is completed. Paris said they occupy half of the building.
“We can still take care of a lot of things while waiting for them to move into their new building,” he said.
Board members voted to allow Paris to make an offer on the building following an executive session during a special called meeting Aug. 19.
Commissioners began looking for more office space last year to consolidate various offices.
Originally, the county made an offer to purchase an office building in East Ellijay for $1.25 million, but the space was deemed unsuitable for the county’s needs.
The Indutrial Boulevard office building was built in 2005 according to Gilmer County tax records. In the tax records, the complex is valued at $4.6 million.