JULY 5, 2007

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land today announced that the Jackson North branch office at 1082 Jackson Crossing will be converted into a PLUS office, bringing enhanced services and convenience to area customers.

The Jackson North office will close the week of July 16 for some needed upgrades and will reopen as the Jackson County PLUS Office on Monday, July 23 at 9 a.m.

"The Jackson County PLUS Office will be the latest of several PLUS offices operating throughout Michigan," Land said. "Since the introduction of these ultra-modern offices, we have been pleased with the positive reception they have received from the public. We continue to listen to our customers and have expanded the service options available throughout our branch office system. I know Jackson County residents will enjoy using their new PLUS office."

Customers needing Secretary of State services while the Jackson North office is closed may visit the following branches:

• Albion
  308 S. Superior St.
• Chelsea
  1113 S. Main St.
• Jackson Downtown
  117 W. Louis Glick Highway
• Mason
  409 N. Cedar St.

The Albion and Jackson Downtown offices are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Hours for Chelsea and Mason are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

PLUS offices provide several enhanced services, including payment by Discover credit card at the counter, expanded Wednesday hours from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., a Self-Service Station for tab renewals, which the Jackson County PLUS Office will receive in the near future, instant titles and the ability to purchase your own driving record on site.

The creation of the Jackson County PLUS Office is part of the 2007 phase of Land's Branch Office Modernization Program. The goal is to provide customers with state-of-the-art services while containing expenditures. The program's emphasis on investing in people and services, and not "bricks and mortar," has allowed the Department of State to minimize costs by using existing facilities and materials whenever possible as well as preserve employee jobs.

The program was launched in April 2004 and resulted in the development of 23 PLUS offices and five SUPER!Centers. Customer satisfaction has consistently been high thanks to the modern, convenient services and enhanced efficiencies these offices provide. SUPER!Centers offer the same services as PLUS offices as well as Saturday hours and other features.

During the program's 2007 phase, which will be completed later this summer, eight PLUS offices and one SUPER!Center will be created. In 2008, three more PLUS offices are scheduled for development.

For more information about branch office locations and services, visit the Branch Office Locator at www.Michigan.gov/sos.