Construction is well under way on the new J.M. Jackson Chevrolet-Buick in Sanford, officials said this week.

According to Johnny Jackson, owner, the Jackson family wants to see the Sanford area grow and prosper with its new, larger, state-of-the-art dealership.

Jackson is expecting a March 1, 2013, open date, if there are not weather-related issues.

The dealership has been an integral part of Covington County for the past 67 years, located on Hart Avenue in Opp.

Jackson said the new dealership will be in a more centralized location between Opp and Andalusia, across from the South Alabama Regional Airport, and will employ nearly 30 people.

The company broke ground on the $2.5 million project in January.

Jackson said then that the new Sanford location was chosen after GM realigned and expanded the dealership’s territory, which now includes all of Covington County and portions of Coffee, Crenshaw, Butler and Geneva counties.

The added areas tripled the dealership’s market.

Jackson said the dealership’s entire operation – from sales to service to its used car lot – will move to the new location. He said he also hopes to maintain the current used car lot’s location, but operate it under a different business license.

Being built on 6 acres, the 25,000 square-foot building will consist of a showroom and sales area, 10 service bays with quick lube facility and a parts and accessory department.

The expansion will also allow Jackson to be an authorized GM tire dealer with all new tire and alignment equipment.