NORFOLK, Neb. -- Thursday was a huge day for the city of Norfolk as News Channel Nebraska's Kayla Malone stood in the old post office, and after Thursday's groundbreaking, which is a symbol for construction, this place will go under a multi-million dollar reconstruction and become the new home to the city's Salvation Army.

"We are so excited,said Salvation Army Major Jesus Trejo.

The Norfolk Salvation Army hosted a groundbreaking on the sight of its future location. 

The new location is well over 35,000 square feet allowing for the Salvation Army to expand its services offered like emergency assistance programs, a bigger food pantry, thrift store, and more. 

"We were introduced to a Boys and Girls partnership that the Salvation Army has in place in the southern territory," Trejo said. "And they invited the central territory to participate in that; and it was just perfect timing that God decided that Norfolk would be the city that they would start this Boys and Girls Club Salvation Army partnership." 

Trejo said after years of work alongside Norfolk Mayor Josh Moenning and the Economic Development Office, they were able to pick this space. 

In 2018, they concluded successful capital campaign raising $3 million, however followed by COVID in 2019, leading supply costs to rise, they had to get creative with more ways to raise funds. 

"One of the blessings was the ARPA money that we received. That was such a blessing because it got us started to where we need to do," Trejo said. "We actually took out some loans that we're going to have to pay back, but I think that we're positioned properly to begin the project here." 

Trejo said that the entire project sums up to about $7 million and is optimistic to its full completion. 

"Our goal is to have this building substantially completed by summer of next year, 2024,said Trejo. 

The new space will also provide more jobs to support the city, from a grounds keeper to more social workers, but will still welcome volunteers as it counts on community support.

"We want them to stay connected to the Salvation Army because we need their ongoing support," said Trejo. "There's going to be challenged as we have had challenges before, but we've always had the community's support. So, for those reasons we're excited to welcome them to come alongside us, and to continue to support us as we move forward with this new building."  

The groundbreaking started with remarks from dignitaries, followed by the first shoveling of dirt, to be concluded with an inside tour of the future set-up. 

Trejo said he hopes the new Norfolk Salvation Army location will continue to help meet the needs of the community and now on a greater scale.