Gesa Credit Union is building a 10,500-square-foot multitenant building in Post Falls in which the Richland, Washington-based financial institution plans to establish its full-service branch in Idaho.

Richard Waddle, Gesa’s executive vice president, says the total project cost, including land, construction, and equipping the branch, is $7 million.

The new branch, to be located at 317 S. Beck, is scheduled to open in December, he says.

Dardan Enterprises Inc., of Post Falls, is the contractor on the project, and Joseph Hampton, of Spokane-based MMEC Architecture & Interiors LLC, designed it.

“We’ve seen a strong growth in loans and deposits in Kootenai County,” says Waddle. “The new branch will put us in a better position to serve our growing membership.”

The branch will take up 4,500 square feet of space, and the remaining 6,000 square feet of space will accommodate up to three additional tenants.

The branch will employ eight to 10 people and offer personal and business banking services, including loans and mortgages, he says. The branch also will offer both drive-up and walk-up interactive teller machines, which will be accessible 24/7. Interactive teller machines are similar to ATMs with the added capability of live video chats with credit union representatives.

The Post Falls branch will be Gesa’s first full-service branch in Idaho, although Gesa opened a commercial loan center at 2140 W. Riverstone, in Coeur d’Alene, last year, says Waddle.

Gesa operates five branches in Spokane County, according to the Journal’s most recent credit union list.