In a major investment into Covington, Wachovia, A Wells Fargo Company, announces the grand opening of a new and improved store, Covington Market Place, 11160 Ga. Hwy. 142, across from Wal-Mart.

To show its commitment to the further development of the area, Wachovia is donating $2,500 to the United Way of Covington-Newton County as part of the opening.

The 4016-square-foot store will employ 13 and will have more parking spaces and service lanes for customers than the store that it replaces. This new store is the second in the state to be built in the new Wells Fargo layout and has six teller lanes, four drive-through lanes, one walk-up ATM and one drive-through ATM.

"It’s great to see Wachovia investing in Covington through the opening of this new location," said Mayor Kim Carter, who is scheduled to attend a ribbon-cutting and "first customer" ceremony at the store.

Doris Strickland, Director of the United Way of Covington-Newton County, will also attend the event. "We are grateful for Wachovia’s support and know that this donation will help us make a greater impact in our local community," Strickland said.

The large store replaces a smaller store the bank outgrew, located at 3261 U.S. Hwy 278 NE. The 13 employees who worked in the other store will serve customers at the new location.

"I am excited for our customers and employees that we are able to build this new store in the Covington Market," said Jim English, Northeast Georgia District Manager. "This brings together the strength of Wells Fargo and Wachovia’s reputation for superior customer service."

With the opening of the Covington Market Place store, Wachovia will have eight bank stores in the Northeast Georgia market.

The new location will operate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturday.