With construction of a 9,000-square-foot assisted living center almost completed, owners of BeeHive Homes are already buzzing about an expansion.

BeeHive Homes of Brookhaven at 1031 West Congress St. will be the eighth in the BeeHive franchise and the first not owned by John Mayfield. Others are in Carthage, Forest, Louisville, Marion, Newton, Philadelphia and Starkville.

Owners Lance Newman and Coby Smith modeled their building after the Starkville home, which was the last one built in the state.

Newman, a nurse anesthetist at  King’s Daughters Medical Center, anticipates construction on the four-acre site to be completed by the end of June.

Thirteen individuals and one couple are waiting to move in. Only one of the 15 rooms remains vacant.

Newman, 36, is not surprised at how quickly the home has filled up. “I knew the need was there,” he said. “Our hope is to build another one on the site if the phone calls keep coming.”

Newman and Smith were teammates at Troy University in Alabama. They became teammates off the field as well buying and renting property together. About five years ago, Smith realized a need for residential care home in Brookhaven. He was on the phone with Smith and searching Google when he ran across information about the BeeHive franchise. The Brookhaven native liked that the company structures its facilities to be a home away from home for its residents.

Because they are keeping the enrollment down to 16 residents, they’re not required to install commercial equipment. That gives the nursing center a homey feel.

A housemother, Lynn Johnson, who is also a registered nurse, will run the facility. “She makes sure everyone is cared for,” Newman said.

Johnson will have three assistants.

BeeHive Homes provides various levels of both long-term and respite care that combines housing, assistance with daily activities and health care services as needed. The home is also an answer for residents who require memory care or dementia services as long as patients aren’t combative or a flight risk, Newman said.

Johnson and her staff can help with medication management, bathing, dressing and other daily activities, with plans structured for each individual based on their needs.

Newman and Smith want to create an environment that allows themselves, staff and residents to become a family, he said.

Each resident’s furnished room at BeeHive includes an attached bathroom, cable TV and telephone hookups as well as an emergency call system.

Housekeeping and laundry services are provided and recreational and social activities are planned. Residents have 24-hour access to caregivers.

There’s also a treatment room for residents to exercise as well as see a physical therapist by appointment.

A sunroom and sitting room are also added touches to give the facility a homey touch.

A salon is available for hairstylists to bring their services to the residents.

The facility will be surrounded by raised flower gardens and raised vegetable gardens will be available for residents who want to grow their own produce.

Residents can eat together in the dining room or in their own rooms and Johnson will coordinate menus based on individuals’ needs and requests.

BeeHive accepts private pay, VA and long-term care insurance. To schedule a tour, call 601-754-5593.