Citizens National Bank breaks ground on new permanent site in Brenham

BRENHAM — Citizens National Bank hosted an official groundbreaking ceremony Friday morning at 400 S. Austin St., marking the start of construction on its permanent home.

The ceremony opened with a prayer led by Pastor Norman Sulaica of St. John's Lutheran Church of Prairie Hill, setting a reflective tone for the bank’s vision in Washington County. Local civic leaders, chamber representatives, and community members gathered to celebrate the expansion.

Speaking at the event, Citizens National Bank Market President Jim Kruse emphasized that the occasion represented much more than a routine site kickoff.

"Today, we are doing much more than digging into the dirt," Kruse said. "We're planting deep roots. This plot of land represents the next chapter in our story. We believe in this community and we believe in its future."

Kruse highlighted the role the new facility will play in supporting the daily financial needs of local residents and small businesses.

"When this building is finished, it's not just made of bricks and mortar, glass, wood and steel," Kruse added. "It'll be a place where local families buy their first homes, where small businesses find the money to grow, and where neighbors can secure their financial future."

The groundbreaking also shed light on future development plans for the surrounding area. The site at 400 S. Austin St. previously housed Farmers Merchant, a former lumberyard that had sat vacant for many years.

Brenham Mayor Atwood Kenjura noted during his remarks that the new bank facility will serve as an anchor for a wider transformation of the entire city block. The City of Brenham is currently working to develop adjacent land to expand its municipal maintenance department, accommodating city growth with additional operational space and vehicles. Over the next several months, the entire block is expected to see significant revitalization alongside the bank's estimated eight-month construction timeline.

Citizens National Bank President and CEO Steven Wise spoke on the bank’s 126-year history, noting that the Brenham location marks its 10th site in Texas. He praised the local team, led by Kruse, which boasts over 229 years of collective banking experience.

"Citizens National has arrived," Kruse declared before leading bank executive leadership, local officials and honored guests to put on hard hats and turn the first shovelfuls of dirt on the site.

Citizens National Bank currently operates out of a temporary branch nearby at 317 S. Austin St. while construction proceeds.