Five months after a destructive F4 tornado struck Ringgold, Ga., a local Peterbilt dealership is announcing a $1 million investment toward the renovation of its location. The Peterbilt Store – North Georgia sustained significant damage to its facility on April 21 during one of the most active tornado seasons in recent history.
The company kicked off the renovation with a reception to unveil its new energy-efficient LED sign that will reduce energy consumption by 72 percent. “This sign is a symbol of progress and hopefully an indication of our commitment to rebuilding this community,” says John Arscott, company president. “It begins with this sign, but we will continue with a $1 million investment to upgrade the facility into a first-class dealership. We believe that our employees and our customers deserve that.” Construction is slated to begin in the first quarter of 2012.
Also in attendance for the ceremony was 2008 CNN Hero Tad Agoglia, founder of the nonprofit organization First Response Team of America. Agoglia and his team were some of the first responders who volunteered their time and efforts to the people of Ringgold after the tornado. Arscott and his company have long supported First Response Team of America. When Agoglia and his team heard about the devastation in Ringgold, and the many Peterbilt employees and their families displaced, they did not think twice about coming to help.
“We had the unique opportunity to team up with the Arscott family and The Pete Store, one of our most significant supporters,” he says. :It was an honor to work hand in hand with the very people who have given us the capability to help so many communities across this country. So often, our supporters do not get to see the direct impact that their contribution makes in the wake of a disaster, but in the town of Ringgold, where so many Pete Store employees live and work, they could see the result of their support. “
The Pete Store has donated several Peterbilt trucks to the First Response Team of America fleet, including one truck that was shipped to Haiti to help with earthquake relief and remains there today.
