A greatly expanded mental health care facility will hold its dedication ceremony and open house Monday.

     Region 8’s new facility and treatment center on Highway 51 is fully operational as of this week, said Lincoln County Chancery Clerk Tillmon Bishop, a Region 8 commissioner.

     “It’s going to be a good day for Lincoln County as far as mental health and drug and alcohol treatment is concerned,” Bishop said.

     Region 8 Executive Director Dave Van echoed Bishop’s comment.

     “It’s going to be great for the county,” Van said. “It’s going to be a much-needed addition to local medical services.”

     The approximately $5 million facility replaces a much smaller building Region 8 rented from King’s Daughters Medical Center.

     Monday’s dedication ceremony begins at 10 a.m. at the new facility and will feature words by Region 8 leaders and tours of the facility.

     Bishop praised the new building as one of the nicest such facilities he’s seen. He added the guided tours will be a necessity.

     “You’ll have to have someone lead you through it or you’ll get lost,” Bishop said with a laugh.

     Van touted that the building was constructed solely by private dollars.

     “The icing on the cake is that the facility was not built using one dime of Mississippi state taxes,” Van said.

     Region 8 has already vacated its former building.

     The transition to a new office is happening on time. Van praised contractor Paul Jackson and Son for ensuring no delays occurred in construction.

     The dedication ceremony and tours are expected to wrap up by noon.