Modern, timesaving options
in store for area customers

SEPTEMBER 17, 2007

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land today announced that the creation of a PLUS office in Van Buren County will mean enhanced service and greater convenience for customers.

The Van Buren County PLUS Office opens Friday, Sept. 28 at the current site of the Paw Paw branch, 1037 E. Michigan Ave. Upgrades to the office will cause a temporary closure at the Paw Paw branch from Sept. 24 to Sept. 27. The South Haven branch, which is being consolidated into the PLUS office, closes at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 26.

"I continually hear praise from customers about the expanded hours and additional services offered at PLUS offices that help make visits a pleasant, convenient experience," Land said. "I'm pleased we're able to offer Van Buren County customers access to expanded services."

During the temporary closure, people can use branches including the South Kalamazoo County PLUS Office at 603 Romence Road in Portage, the Northwest Berrien County PLUS Office at 1960 Mall Dr. in Benton Harbor, the Allegan office at 430 Western Ave., or the Dowagiac office in 601 N. Front St. PLUS offices offer additional services and conveniences, such as payment by Discover credit card at the counter, expanded Wednesday hours from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., instant titles, the ability to purchase your own driving record on site and Self-Service Stations for tab renewals, which the new office will receive in the near future. Staff and resources from the consolidating branch will relocate to the new PLUS office.

Creation of the 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 resources whenever possible as well as preserve employee jobs.

The program was launched in April 2004. The initial phase 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.

During the program's 2007 phase, which will be completed later this summer, eight PLUS offices and one SUPER!Center are being 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.