WEST POINT – On Friday, West Point’s business community expanded yet again with the grand opening of Caring Spirits, LLC.

The office will provide drug testing, with a focus on the area surrounding West Point and Lanett, where the company’s founders felt that the service was most needed.

“We saw a need in the area with people that we have a rapport with,” Owner Tomekia Day said. “The schools are supportive. The college and the police department (are supportive), so we can do it.”

Day is a licensed practical nurse who is certified by the Department of Transportation. She has partnered with Elizabeth Melton on starting the West Point-based business. Melton, a substance abuse professional with over 30 years experience, hopes to be able to apply her experience to help people overcome drug addiction and provide easier access for schools, businesses and other groups to drug test in the area.

“We didn’t have this business here in West Point, so this will be good for this area to cover the Valley, Lanett and West Point for drug screenings in house,” Melton said. “I think the access will be great for the Valley. Everyone that I have talked to in the area has been welcoming, because they said, ‘Wow, this is something good that can be offered right here in this area.’”

Besides testing, Caring Spirits also offers counseling services for those who test positive on drug screenings.

“We like for anyone who tests positive to have an educational class and to be able to follow up with them for how to overcome substance abuse,” Day said.

The LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce expressed excitement for the new business in LaGrange, especially since this business was founded by female entrepreneurs.

“We always like to celebrate entrepreneurs, especially women who are making a name for themselves in the community,” LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce President Page Estes said. “This is the second business that Tomekia (Day) has that has become a member of the chamber. I know that she is going to be a great success because she has partnered also with the UGA small business development center, who we have a wonderful relationship with, and we know that she will have great success.”

According to officials, this grand opening is part of a trend of growth in West Point, and additions like the Point University dorms, Chattabrewchee Southern Brewhouse and the West Point Chamber office seem to support that assertion. Business owners like Day were credited with making that growth possible.

“(Day) is making a big impact on downtown, and that is going to continue (to grow),” Mayor Pro-Tem Steve Tramell said. “I expect in the next month, we will probably have two to three more ribbon cuttings. We are just constantly adding and adding.”

Caring Spirits provides onsite hair follicle testing, mobile testing, saliva drug tests, pre-employment tests, 13 panel drug screenings, Department of Transportation screening with lab results, non-DOT screenings with lab results and substance abuse counseling. To learn more about Caring Spirits visit them on Facebook, at 815 3rd Ave or call 706-407-7142.