POWDERSVILLE — Keller Williams Western Upstate Realty has announced that it is merging with Barnes and Tripp Real Estate.

The new office will operate under the Western Upstate Keller Williams Western Upstate Realty brand and continue to operate out of 332 Highway 153 in Powdersville.

The integration of Barnes and Tripp agents into the Keller Williams Western Upstate Realty Business Center will take place on Wednesday.

The office will be led by new team leader, Jan V. Rogers.

“We are thrilled that two of Western Upstate South Carolina’s real estate leaders are coming together into one,” Rogers said. “We believe that the synergies from this merger will have positive effects on both our agents and for the buyers and sellers we serve in Easley, Powdersville and Upstate South Carolina. The economic benefits of the merger give the new market center a huge strategic advantage in the market place. The Easley and Powdersville community will continue to be served by the great agents who live and work here.”

Having been the Upstate since 1975, Barnes and Tripp Real Estate is a 35-year family tradition. At its helm has been Barnes and Tripp President and Broker-in-Charge Jo Anne Fox, well known in the local community.

“It is our mission for the new company to continue to follow the Keller Williams Realty business models, offering world class training and maintaining the values of the KW culture at the highest level,” said Tommy Stevenson, Keller Williams Western Upstate’s center principal.

Founded in 1983, Keller Williams Realty, Inc. is the third-largest real estate franchise operation in the United States, with 679 offices and 73,000 associates in the U.S. and Canada.