Energy-efficiency and eco-friendly materials were priorities for Owner Bill Campbell when he built the new Putnam Chevrolet facility at the corner of U.S. 50 and Missouri 87 two years ago.
Features like geothermal heating and cooling, on-site recycling and heating with recycled oil were incorporated into the build.
Putnam Chevrolet is the first dealership in Missouri to earn General Motors' Green Dealer title and among only 43 of its dealerships to be certified. To qualify, Putnam earned a high percentage of marks from a list of 61 green assessment points.
"Implementing energy efficient design into our new location made sense for us and our customers," said Bill Campbell, Putnam owner and general manager. "We incorporated practices that were environmentally-friendly and fiscally-responsible. This helps us save and pass that savings on to our customers."
Other companies and professionals involved in the project were shown appreciation. Those included Mike Bates at Central Missouri Professional Services Inc., Chris Hentges at SIRCAL Contracting Inc., electrical engineer Adam Weber, and Co-Mo Electric.
"Designing and constructing a dealership that is both sound and environmentally friendly was definitely a group effort," Campbell said. "I relied heavily on the expertise of our contractors and others. Their excellent work made this certification possible."
Another thank you Campbell had is for his high school building trades teacher at Russellville High School. Without the knowledge gained from Charlie Matheis, Campbell said he wouldn't have had the courage to take on such a building project.
A teacher in Russellville for about 30 years, Matheis had his upper classmen build a house each year, Campbell recalled.
"Over the years, a significant amount of Russellville High School graduates have gone on with careers in building and trades," Campbell said.
Growing up on a farm also influenced Campbell's decisions, including a neighbor who installed solar panels during the 1970s energy crisis.
"On the farm, you had to be resourceful; you didn't just use something one time and throw it away," he said.
That explains why the waste oil in the service department will be used for heating purposes - lowering his costs and limiting waste.
And the showroom glass windows are positioned with the sun in mind, either with shade in the summer or for sunlight heat in the winter.
The building also was built to accommodate solar panels in the future. Campbell's long-term goal is the air condition the shop at no cost.
"We'll continue to use the technology out there," he said.