RVers in North Carolina have a new reason to be optimistic as General RV Center, a premier RV dealer, is set to open its first dealership in the state. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on August 15 in Salisbury, marking a significant milestone in the company’s expansion strategy.
According to a press release, the new supercenter represents an investment of $25 million into the Rowan County community. The construction phase is projected to create nearly 70 jobs, and once operational, the dealership will offer over 150 full-time positions with an average salary of $65,000.
Loren Baidas, General RV’s president, expressed his gratitude to the Rowan County community during the groundbreaking ceremony, stating, “This has been about a five-year project for us to try to find the right location, the right community that would serve as our home base in North Carolina.”
He added: “We couldn’t have asked for a better county or better town to support us. I really want to thank everyone here in the community. I promise, we won’t let you down.”
The new 71,000-square-foot facility will be the 16th Supercenter for General RV, showcasing a wide range of RVs, outdoor products, and accessories. Notably, the dealership will feature over 30 service bays, including a six-bay body shop, and can accommodate up to 700 RVs on its lot. This makes it the largest RV Supercenter within a 400-500 mile radius in the state.
Greg Edds, chairman of Rowan County Board of Commissioners, emphasized the importance of memories created with RVs and campers, acknowledging General RV’s significant role. He also highlighted the mutual benefits, saying, “As good as you’re going to be for us, we’re going to be great for you.”
Local businesses in Rowan County are also set to benefit from the influx of General RV’s estimated 10,000 annual customers. These visitors are expected to spend an average of six hours exploring the community’s shops, restaurants, and attractions, translating to an estimated $740,000 of annual visitor spending.
Rod Crider, president of the Rowan County Economic Development Council, praised the decision of General RV to establish their Supercenter in the region, indicating it as evidence of the success of their economic development plan.
Founded in 1962 in Michigan, General RV Center has grown to operate 14 full-service dealerships across various states, including Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Virginia, Florida, Utah, and Pennsylvania. The company is renowned for its vast selection of RVs, top-tier service facilities, and retail RV parts and accessories.
The new dealership in North Carolina is expected to open its doors in the Fall of 2024, further solidifying General RV Center’s commitment to providing exceptional service and products to the RV community.
Featured image from General RV Center.
