There was plenty of laughter and good humor among the employees of Mid South Home Health Agency Friday as they gathered on an empty plot of land to participate in the groundbreaking of their new office building.

Formerly known as Vaughan Home Health Services, the home health care provider has been assisting Selma’s elderly and disabled residents for the past 11 years.

This new building, mangers say, will represent some of the changes that have been made in the company since being purchased by Mid South in November.

Located on Executive Park Place directly across the street from the company’s current office, the new building is scheduled to be complete by late this fall.

“It’s going to look like a home, with a front porch and maybe some rocking chairs,” said Karol Purdie, Mid South community liaison and registered nurse. “It’s going to have real homey atmosphere.”

A quick look around Mid South’s office reveals just how much employees need more work space. Some of the desks are pushed together to make more room, while others are hidden between large filing cabinets.

“We decided to build a new office to accommodate our staff and our growth,” said Susan Jones, Mid South regional director. “We have two sister companies in this office. One of them is Mid South DEM (Durable Medical Equipment), which sells home medical equipment.”

Rhonda Rice, Mid South account executive, said the building would also have a loading dock and warehouse to hold the medical equipment.

“It’s going to be a one-stop for everything you need for home health care,” Rice said.

Jones said Mid South’s main purpose is to provide hospital care in a patients’ home.

“Mid South is one of the largest home health care providers in the state,” Jones said. “We do almost everything nurses do in a hospital, only in the comfort of our patients’ homes.”

Purdie said she and the rest of the Mid South employees are excited about impending move, and feels it will be just one more way for the company to become a closer part of the community.