Franklin Social Security office will remain open

Franklin – A week after it was discovered the local Social Security office faced closure per the Department of Government Efficiency, elected officials say the office would remain.

“Problem is resolved. The Franklin Social Security office will not be closing,” state Sen. Kevin Corbin (R-Franklin) told The Franklin Press on Friday. “I just got that word from Congressman [Chuck] Edwards. They have heard our voice! I thank Congressman Edwards and Sens. [Thom] Tillis and [Ted] Budd for listening.”

On Monday, Edwards said, “My office has received assurance that the Social Security Administration office in Franklin will not be closing, and all of the space being used by the public and staff will remain in use.”

Corbin said DOGE flagged the Franklin office for closure due to its high rent. According to DOGE, and confirmed by Corbin, the annual lease cost for the Franklin building is $276,309, coming out to $23,025.75 per month. DOGE estimated savings from closing the office would be $1,059,184.

However, Corbin said after hearing from Edwards, Tillis and Burr, it was agreed the office needs to stay open.

The lease for the Social Security Administration and the building runs to August will be renegotiated, Corbin said. The office has 12 employees, he added, complimenting their work for helping local residents receive Medicare and Social Security benefits.

“I understand they will be negotiating the lease for a new term or have the option to move the office to a new location,” Corbin said. “Either way, I’ve been told the office will remain open and will remain in Franklin.”

The Franklin Social Security Administration office is the westernmost in North Carolina and the only one west of Asheville. Corbin said the office serves Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Jackson, Haywood, Macon and Swain counties, and the Asheville office is too busy.

The Asheville Social Security office is not on the DOGE list. However, three other Social Security offices in North Carolina are on the list – Elizabeth City, Greenville and Roanoke Rapids.

The Franklin Social Security Administration office is at 213 Lakeside Drive. The 8,895-square-foot building is owned by UIRC-GSA FRANKLIN NC LLC, according to the Macon County GIS and the tax bill goes to Urban Investment Research Corp. in Lemont, Ill. Taxes on the property are $4,636.06 per year.

When first reached on March 5, Edwards said he understood DOGE’s efforts, citing “our nation’s unsustainable debt” and saying it’s prudent to make sure tax dollars are used efficiently and effectively.”

“Understanding how the federal government can more effectively utilize existing personnel and funds will allow us to be better stewards of taxpayer money and responsibly deliver services to the American people,” Edwards said. “My office has been in regular contact with the Social Security Administration and is awaiting an update on the status of the Franklin office, which is vital to our community.”

On March 10, Edwards added that “responsibly reducing the federal government’s real estate footprint will help keep taxpayers from footing the bill for unused office space, which is why I introduced the FULL Act that was signed into law last Congress.” The act requires agencies to submit annual reports on the occupancy and use of office spaces.

In a statement provided to The Franklin Press on March 6, a Social Security Administration spokesperson said they are working with the General Services Administration to review leases and ensure they are efficient.

“Most of the leases we are not renewing are for small remote hearing sites that are co-located with other federal space,” the spokesperson said. “As the majority of our hearings are held virtually, we no longer need as many in-person hearings locations.

“In fact, in [fiscal year 2023-24], 20% of these offices held no in-person hearings. Other offices are non-public facing, being consolidated into nearby locations or we had planned to close. Social Security continuously monitors and evaluates the use of our office space to maximize efficiency for the American taxpayer.”

On Monday, the Social Security Administration sent The Franklin Press a link to an “efficiencies” website, where it has a link to a spreadsheet with 64 leases.