U.S. Representative Charlie Wilson is opening a new office in downtown Ironton.

Located on the first floor of the Park Avenue Apartments building, the office was set up by the new congressman to help his constituents in the Sixth District.

Since the congressman’s district runs about 300 miles along the Ohio River from eastern Scioto County to Lebanon, Wilson has five offices with his main office in Marietta.

“It’s too far to drive from my Marietta office to give the quality of service we want for the people of Lawrence County,” Wilson said. Ted Strickland, who was the Sixth District congressman until he decided to run for governor last year, had an office in Wheelersburg.

Wilson also has offices in his hometown of Bridgeport, Wellsville and Canfield.

“We chose Ironton because it was in the middle,” Wilson said. “And there are some very positive things going on there and we want to be a part of moving them along.”

A congressman’s office helps constituents “to help connect the dots” with a variety of issues including Social Security or Medicare or any federal program.

“It won’t be some distant 800 number,” Wilson said. “They can talk to a person.”

Wilson said his field representative, Phil Roberts, would man the Ironton office.

“I am really just so pleased to have him with us,” Wilson said. “He is a 10-year veteran of the Army and he really understands veteran’s issues.”

Wilson said a grand opening for the office, which is still being fixed up, will be soon.

“We should have everything hooked up in a couple weeks,” he said.

Among the positives he mentioned here in Lawrence County was The Point industrial park, a possible ethanol plant and Engines Inc. expanding. He said the goal is to create jobs in southern Ohio.

“I’m very excited about the development opportunities we have,” Wilson said. “We have a good nucleus to do positive things here. We have some things here we think we can nurture and help bring along.”

He said he was hoping to make some moves on the Chesapeake Bypass completion.

“We have requested funds on that,” he said.

The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The phone number is 1-888-706-1833.

“We want people to call us,” Wilson said.