The Bruner Auto Group hosted a ground breaking ceremony on Thursday, October 13th celebrating not only the future of the relocation of their Chevrolet Dealership; but also the anniversary of many automotive milestones.
The new General Motors facility at the intersection of Highways 377 and 183, across from Heartland Mall will include a 30,000-square foot full-service dealership which will house the full line of GM products: Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC and Buick. There will also be a dedicated GM Quick Lube and an 8,000-square foot high technology body shop.
The Bruner family offered thanks to the many involved in the new dealership’s project planning and construction. Greg Bruner, president of the company, stated that over a four year period, Early leadership through Early City Administrator Ken Thomas, Assistant City Administrator Wayne Creel and Director of Early Economic Development Corporation Wanda Ferguson have helped to make the project possible. He also thanked the county for their support with the recent action of granting a tax abatement for the project.
According to Greg Bruner, there are several anniversaries to be celebrated, 97 years of Chevrolet in Brown County, 84 years of Bruner Chevrolet sales in Texas, and Chevrolet’s 100th Anniversary. Next year his father, Dwain Bruner, will receive his 50th year award as a Chevrolet dealer.
Bruner stated that the company is looking forward to this expansion, success, and that the Bruner Auto Group even hopes to pay more taxes.
“We look forward to paying more city, county, state, and school district taxes because this means our business is successful,” said Greg Bruner.
Jay Allen, General Motors Regional Director of Business Operations also spoke at the event. He wished the Bruners much success and noted how areas such as this are the heart of General Motors and Chevrolet brands.
“Dwain and Greg, you should be proud of where we are today and what’s taking place here today. We wouldn’t have the company or the organization that we do today without people like these,” stated Allen. “For Chevrolet and General Motors, here in this state, it really begins with communities like Early, communities like Brownwood and communities like Stephenville. This is where really it is the heart of our brands and to see the commitment made today in this community by these people is really tremendous.”
During the event, an announcement that Bruner joined Chevrolet in celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month by donating at least $1000 to help kick off the Brown County 2012 American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event. The check for $1000 was presented to Darlene Wall by Bruner and Bruner Auto Group General Manager Jim Stanley (pictured below).
Construction of the new dealership will begin by the end of the year according to Bruner and is expected to be completed in approximately 12 months. A separate ground breaking for the Toyota dealership is planned for October 27.
Representatives from Bruner Auto Group and General Motors, Early, Brownwood, Brown County, and the local chambers of commerce participated in the ground breaking ceremony.
Pictured above is Bruner General Manager Jim Stanley, Greg and Dwain Bruner, and Brown County Judge Ray West breaking ground during the event.
Click the photo gallery for pictures of the event and see video from the ground breaking ceremony below.
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