Two long-standing, family-owned local insurance agencies are now one.

On Oct. 1, the J. Edwards Insurance Agency acquired The Johanson Agency, formerly of 917 Washington St.

The two agencies came together in new offices located at 800 W. Third St., Jamestown, and existing offices at 9 E. Main St., Panama.

As part of the acquisition, the J. Edwards Insurance Agency received an appointment from The ERIE Insurance Group succeeding The Johanson Agency as the only ERIE agency in Jamestown. As independent agencies, both Edwards and Johanson represented many of the same insurance companies.

“All customers should be assured that policies, premiums, options, coverages, pay plans, etc., will not be affected by this transition,” said Brenda Ireland, president of the Edwards Agency.

The J. Edwards Insurance Agency was founded in 1957 by Panama farmers Joe and Geneva Edwards by selling insurance to their neighbors and other farmers. Joe Edwards Jr. and his wife, Jean, bought the agency in 1975. Joe Edwards Jr. worked until his retirement in 2014. Ireland, a third-generation agency owner, joined the business in 1986 and was appointed president by her father in 2000. The agency expanded its operations to include a Jamestown location, which opened in 2004. Ireland is joined by her husband, Jeff Ireland, and their son, J. Bryce Ireland (fourth generation), in the family business.

The Johanson Agency was founded by Fred Johanson in 1960. His son, Daniel Johanson, became president in 1985 and recently retired after 43 years in the business.

“This is a very exciting time in our history,” Ireland said. “I am so pleased to welcome the Johanson Agency customers and we look forward to providing them with the high level of customer service that they have come to expect.”

The agency offers personal, home, auto, farm and business insurance. The agency is a member of the Alpha Associates Inc. and the Independent Insurance Association of New York.