Construction is slated to officially begin Thursday morning in Red Oak, for the new Jail/Law Enforcement Center (LEC). The project received a “green light” in Montgomery County last August, when more than 72-percent of registered voters in the County approved a 5.675-million dollar bond issue, designed to replace the current jail, which is more than 100-years old. The new jail will be located in a vacant lot adjacent to the current facility.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the new jail and LEC begins at 11-a.m., Thursday, with several local dignitaries on-hand, along with the project‘s architects, and general contractors. The project is expected to be finished in a little over a year.

The completed facility will offer a space for female prisoners, who are currently transported to the jail in Adams County for holding, because the Montgomery County Jail lacks the necessary space to separate female-and male inmates. The county’s 9-1-1 dispatch center will also be housed in the new jail/LEC.

Groundbreaking for the new Montgomery County jail takes place a little more than six-months after a similar event occurred in Greenfield, for a new Adair County Public Safety Center/Jail. A 2.8-million dollar bond referendum was approved by voters in Adair County in May 2010. The facility is in a lot adjacent to the current, nearly 110-year old jail. The new facility in Greenfield, will serve as the jail, as well as home for the Greenfield Police Department, and administrative offices.