The public is invited to attend a ribbon cutting and open house on Tuesday, October 22nd for the newly relocated Mercer County Extension office located at 910 13th Street, Viola, IL. It will start with a ribbon cutting at 11 a.m. featuring special guests Illinois House Representative Dan Swanson, Illinois Senator Chuck Weaver, Viola Mayor Kirk Doonan, and Illinois Extension Regional Director Ryan Hobson. An open house will follow from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. where attendees can enjoy  refreshments, tour the new office and visit with Extension staff and guests.

The Mercer County Extension office opened at its new location in Viola on September 3rd.  Extension county director Jenny Garner said the new office provides more space, especially for storage of their educational curriculum and supplies. There are offices for staff, a conference room, small kitchen, copy room, large parking lot and lower level storage. The office is open to the public  Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8 am – 4 pm (closed from 12 – 12:30 for lunch) and by appointment. The phone number has been changed to (309) 871-5032.