Roy Schmidt Honda Breaks Ground in Effingham

(MR. AND MRS. ROY SCHMIDT (middle) ARE JOINED BY HONDA OFFICIALS ALONG WITH AGRACEL'S DEAN BINGHAM (second from left) AND EFFINGHAM MAYOR MERV GILLENWATER (far right) IN THE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR ROY SCHMIDT HONDA TUESDAY AFTERNOON)

Just beating a rain shower, a groundbreaking ceremony took place Tuesday afternoon at the future site of Roy Schmidt Honda.

A Teutopolis native, Schmidt has gone on to establish auto dealerships in Mt. Vernon, Centralia and Salem.  He never stopped thinking about a dealership in his home community, though, and has persistently tried to land a Honda dealership since the 1990s.  The two goals have come together in his plans to build the dealership along the West Fayette Avenue interchange.  Schmidt said the Honda dealership "is the missing link" in his network.

(ROY SCHMIDT)

Schmidt's goal also has implications for Effingham.  Agracel, Incorporated President Dean Bingham said the project will help facilitate infrastructure improvements and eventual development of 22 additional acres adjacent to the site of the dealership.  Effingham Mayor Merv Gillenwater said he hopes this will be the first of many such groundbreakings at the site.  Chamber of Commerce President Norma Lansing said the development follows many such changes to the face of Effingham's landscape along the interstates.  The frontage road off West Fayette Avenue that used to dead end at the Dixie Truckers Home before it closed will now be extended south and will tie into Schwerman Street.

(AGRACEL, INC. PRESIDENT DEAN BINGHAM)

Scott Fitzgerald, Honda's Zone Manager from St. Louis, said Schmidt was "not only the right candidate, but the only candidate" for the Honda franchise.

The 34,788-square-foot full-service dealership will house a full line of Honda cars, trucks, SUVs and vans, as well as a full service center and free car wash for all customers.  The dealership will also feature a large selection of Honda certified pre-owned vehicles.

Schmidt said the dealership should be open for business by November 1 or December 1.