NOVEMBER 24, 2008

The new Calhoun County PLUS Office in Battle Creek opened today, giving area customers extended Wednesday hours and more services in their area, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land announced.

"Customers consistently praise our modern PLUS offices for their expanded hours, added staffing and other features that make visiting a branch office a quick, convenient experience," Land said. "I'm pleased to be able to expand options for Calhoun County residents and bring services that were available only in Lansing closer to customers."

Other benefits of the new PLUS office at 2545 Capital Ave. S.W., include instant titles, payment by MasterCard and Discover at the counter, the ability to purchase your own driving record on site and a Self-Service Station for tab renewals available 24 hours a day. The office also has added hours on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Calhoun County residents now have access to the enhanced services enjoyed by their neighbors in Eaton, Kalamazoo and Jackson counties. The office was formed by consolidating the offices in Battle Creek and Marshall. The Albion office at 308 S. Superior St. is unaffected by the consolidation.

Creation of the PLUS office is part of the 2008 phase of Land's Branch Office Modernization Program. The program's emphasis on investing in people and services, and not "bricks and mortar," has allowed the Secretary of State's Office to deliver state-of-the-art services by using existing facilities and resources whenever possible as well as preserve employee jobs.

Land reminds residents who have Internet access to check out the department's online services and Branch Office Locator at www.Michigan.gov/sos before visiting any office. For example, license tabs and watercraft registrations can be renewed online. Browsing the site helps customers know what documents they'll need to bring when they go to an office.