Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGa) hosted the grand opening for its new office facility in Columbus on Wednesday. Community leaders and BCBSGa representatives were on hand to unveil the 235,000-square-foot, three-story building that can accommodate up to 2,000 associates.

Georgia Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, Columbus Mayor Teresa Tomlinson, Brian Anderson, president and CEO of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce, and Russ Carreker with the Development Authority of Columbus were among state and local officials who spoke at the opening ceremony on Wednesday.

“Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia has deep roots in Columbus, so it was an easy decision for us to invest in the community and develop this beautiful new complex,” said Morgan Kendrick, president of BCBSGa. “Over the next several months, our associates will move from their existing offices into this state-of-the-art building to best serve all of our customers around the state and nation.”

The new office, located at 6087 Technology Parkway, will house the largest number of BCBSGa employees of any single location in Georgia, and will serve as the main hub for servicing its nearly 3 million members. BCBSGa serves more individuals than any other insurance provider in the state.

“It’s wonderful to be here and celebrate another major milestone for both Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia and Columbus,” said Mayor Tomlinson. “The company has a long history with our community and has been a great corporate partner, employing a significant number of Columbus residents.”

The building features two wings connected by an atrium with a modern design utilizing glass, sunlight and vibrant colors. A committee of BCBSGa associates in Columbus provided input on the interior space and furnishings to reflect the local culture.

The facility will help encourage healthy lifestyles among associates through a number of amenities, including a full service, discounted dining area with many nutritious selections, a wellness center and a 1.15-mile walking path. The complex also features an outdoor patio, nursing mothers’ rooms and huddle rooms, designed for impromptu staff meetings. The building design has been cited as a prototype for future office developments across the country for Anthem, BCBSGa’s parent company.

About 250 construction workers were employed during the course of construction, and 1,339 tons of steel were used – enough to build 10 Statues of Liberty.