Work begins on new commercial truck dealership and service center in Jennings

Published 11:31 am Friday, March 22, 2024

Old River broke ground Wednesday on its new $10 million heavy duty and commercial truck dealership and service center north of the interstate in Jennings.

The dealership will include a 50,000-square-foot facility on 17 acres at 3346 I-10 Frontage Road, just west of the Camelot Brookside retirement home and Louisiana Oil and Gas Park.

The location will consolidate the current Old River dealerships in Lake Charles and Breaux Bridge, according to Old River President Lee White.

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“For us it will consolidate two businesses to better serve Southwest Louisiana, especially along I-10,” White said. “For our customers, it will mean a better, newer and nicer facility.”

Regional Vice President of Volvo Trucks Scott Parten said the I-10 corridor is expected to be a huge market for the sales, parts and service of Volvo, Mack, Hino and other brands of heavy duty and commercial trucks.

In addition to sales and service, the state-of-the-art facility will include electric vehicle charging stations and maintenance on natural gas engines.

It will have about 40 employees.

Peoples Construction, the general contractor, has already begun construction work at the site. It is expected to be completed by early 2026.

The city is currently working to extend water, sewer and fiber internet to help develop the North Frontage Road for future growth, Mayor Henry Guinn said.

“We are determined to grow Jennings and we can’t do that without people like Mr. Lee (White) and Old River, and obviously Volvo and Mack,” he said. “We appreciate their investment in the city and look forward to continued growth and success.”

Old River, which has been in business for 41 years, is headquartered in Richland, MS.

It has dealership locations in Baton Rouge and St. Rose and Laurel, Miss.