Business owners and community leaders gathered in downtown Meridian Thursday to cut the ribbon on Motto Mortgage Premier Experts. The new mortgage lending business opened next door to Hill Real Estate on 22nd Avenue.

Dan Derrington, mortgage lender at Motto Mortgage, said the new business provides a variety of mortgage options and he looks forward to helping Meridian residents find the mortgage that works for them.

“Hopefully we can offer some mortgage products and serve our community,” he said. “I’m just looking forward to working with everybody and glad to be downtown.”

Meridian Community Development Director Craig Hitt said the businessmen who established Motto Mortgage, and also operate Hill Real Estate, were some of the first to locate their business in downtown and helped fuel the revitalization that Meridian’s downtown has been experiencing.

“I know that this business came downtown before a lot of other stuff came downtown,” he said. “We appreciate that commitment that you’ve made and the new commitment that you’re making now and for all you’re doing not only here in Meridian but in Lauderdale County.”

East Mississippi Business Development Corporation Membership Director Dan Confait also thanked Motto Mortgage owners for their investment in the community.

“It’s another piece of the puzzle of us growing downtown,” he said. “It’s another great addition. We thank you so much for investing in downtown.”

Motto Mortgage Premier Experts is located at 607 22nd Avenue. For more information visit mottomortgage.com/offices/premier-experts-meridian or call 601-512-2275.