On Thursday, January 24, Dwane Shank Motors welcomed General Motors executives from Detroit, who were on hand to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony for the dealership's new building. Among the people who travelled to Greensburg to be on hand for this event was Kristin Zimmerman, GM's  Manager of Environment and Energy Policy. Dr. Zimmerman contacted the Shanks several months ago to express GM’s interest in helping rebuild their business as a model of energy efficiency.

In the ensuing months since GM’s call, many exciting decisions have been made, leading up to this groundbreaking event. The National Renewable Energy Lab has had a representative working with the family. Shanti Pless, an engineer with NREL’s High Performance Building Team, has been instrumental in the design and planning of the building, which will feature energy-efficient skylights, special windows that maximize the use of sunlight, water-saving fixtures in the bathrooms, and cellulose insulation with a high R-value.

Also on hand at the groundbreaking were Russell Gadberry, a builder with CS Building Systems, and project architect Don Galemore, who traveled from Sikeston, Missouri for the day. 

The morning’s program also featured GM’s presentation of the keys to 7 vehicles. The South Central Community Foundation received 3 of the E-85 FlexFuel Chevy Suburbans, which they in turn donated to the school district. The city will be the recipient of 4 hybrid Chevy Tahoes once this new technology is available later this year. (In the meantime, the City has a pick-up and 3 traditional Tahoes on loan from GM.)

There was a great turn-out for this event and  is a lot of enthusiasm for the Shanks’ project. It is gratifying to see that the risks, hard work, and leadership taken by Esther, Dwane and Ron have paid off. The Shank dealership will be one of the foremost “green” steel buildings in the country. GM is looking for it to be the model from which they will share information with other dealers throughout the country.

Last updated on April 20, 2008 by Administrator