More than three dozen Rowan County community representatives and General RV Center leaders broke ground on the company’s first North Carolina Supercenter to be located in Salisbury on Tuesday, August 15, 2023.
With an investment of $25 million into the Rowan County community, General RV anticipates construction and associated development projects will create nearly 70 jobs immediately within the surrounding community. Once opened in Fall of 2024, more than 150 full-time jobs with an average salary of $65,000 will be based at the dealership.
“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,” said General RV President Loren Baidas during Tuesday’s groundbreaking ceremony. “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.”
Full-Service Supercenter Keeps the Community Camping
The 71,000-square-foot facility will be General RV’s 16th Supercenter nationwide and will offer a wide range of RVs, in addition to outdoor products and accessories. The dealership will have over 30 service bays, including a six-bay body shop, with enough space to house 700 RVs on the lot. In addition, the family-owned dealership will be the largest RV Supercenter within approximately 400-500 miles in the state.
“What we’re seeing here with all the jobs and investment is really exciting for us. But when I think of campers and RVs, I just honestly think about memories that are made with families. General RV is such a big part of that,” said Greg Edds, Chairman of Rowan County Board of Commissioners. “As good as you’re going to be for us, we’re going to be great for you.”
Local Businesses to Benefit
Other businesses in Rowan County will also benefit from General RV’s estimated 10,000 annual customers who will spend an average of six hours in the community’s shops, restaurants and attractions. The result for the local area will be approximately $740,000 of annual visitor spending.
“General RV’s decision to locate here is proof that our economic development plan is working,” said Rod Crider, President of the Rowan County Economic Development Council. “Most of the time, we spend our time talking with manufacturers and large warehousing and logistics companies. Rarely do we get an opportunity to work with a company like this with a great economic impact.”
About General RV
Founded in Michigan in 1962, General RV Center is the nation’s premier RV dealer. The company operates 14 full-service dealerships in Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Virginia, Florida, Utah and Pennsylvania. Each location offers a large selection of RVs for sale, RV service facilities and retail RV parts and accessories. Visit GeneralRV.com for more information.