ELKHART -- As of Tuesday, the United Way of Elkhart County will do its work from a new location.

The agency is leaving its longtime home on Middlebury Street near downtown Elkhart for a space provided by LaSalle Bristol Corp. at its corporate headquarters. Tuesday will be the first day of business at 601 C.R. 17.

Jessica Koscher, vice president of marketing and development of United Way, said that the organization had not been looking for a new home and that the rent at the previous location was not unreasonably high.

But the offer by LaSalle Bristol CEO and United Way board member Richard Karchers to rent them space at an even lower cost was too good to pass up. The C.R. 17 location also will enhance the perception of United Way as an agency that serves communities beyond Elkhart.

"We are a county organization, so it will be excellent to be placed somewhere that has a better county presence," said Koscher.

The second-floor, unoccupied space was already move-in ready and equipped with high-speed Internet, a main lobby and receptionist.

"That will be so convenient. It's going to make our business run so smoothly. We can go make our calls and if we need to leave something for someone to pick up, we can just leave it at the front desk," Koscher said.

Its home on Middlebury street was donated to United Way more than 30 years ago by Coachmen Industries. Six years ago, the agency sold the space to Elkhart Housing Partnership for $1. When that agency went bankrupt, the property went up for sale, but has not yet found a buyer. In the meantime, United Way has been paying rent to remain at the location.

HOLIDAY CLOSINGS The offices of United Way of Elkhart County will be closed Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday. Plans call for a community open house to take place at the new location after the first of the year.