MECHANICSBURG – Army veteran Joel Sprout is the newest attorney to open a practice in the downtown office building once occupied by the late William “Bill” Saxbe, a former U.S. attorney general.

Sprout, who opened Central Ohio Title Services LLC on April 19, shares the historic location at 16 S. Main St. with the Law Offices of Bradley Jeckering LLC.

Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, Central Ohio Title Services provides residential and commercial title and closing services to individuals in Champaign County and the surrounding areas.

“Many home buyers are unaware that they can choose the title agent that handles their real estate closing,” Sprout said. “We provide professional, attentive service in a quiet, stress-free atmosphere. Our tagline and motto is, ‘Service you deserve. People you trust.’”

A 2014 graduate of Capital University Law School, Sprout, who served as an officer and company commander in the First Infantry Division of the U.S. Army 2006-2011, lives in Dublin with his wife, Sarah, and their young son.

Despite his military background, Sprout said, he always had the desire to be a business owner, something that runs in his family.

“I’ve always been an entrepreneur, probably following my dad’s example,” Sprout said. “He started a business when I was 5, and he successfully ran it for over 20 years.

“I worked on a farm during the summers, but I started and operated three businesses before graduating from high school,” he added.

When it came to selecting the best location to open Central Ohio Title Services, Sprout said he decided on Mechanicsburg for two reasons – the community and its location.

“I visited Mechanicsburg, and the people I met were great,” he said. “Mechanicsburg is at a busy intersection that is easily accessible for the surrounding communities. I became excited about creating a successful business that could become a part of the community.”