Five months after a destructive F4 tornado struck Ringgold, Georgia, The Peterbilt Store announced plans for a one million dollar renovation of their location.


The Peterbilt Store, North Georgia (a division of The Pete Store, LLC) sustained significant damage to its facility on April 21, 2011 during one of the most active tornado seasons in recent history. The company recently kicked off the renovation with a reception to unveil their new, energy efficient, LED sign. The state of the art sign will reduce energy consumption by 72%.

"This sign is a symbol of progress and hopefully an indication of our commitment to rebuilding this community," explained company president, John C. Arscott. "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 non-profit organization, First Response Team of America. Tad 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, in their effort to aid in rescue and recovery after catastrophic storms.

When Tad 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. 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," said Tad Agoglia. "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 which was shipped to Haiti to help with earthquake relief, and remains there today.