CELINA-The Rogers Group last week finalized an agreement with the Clay County Rescue Squad that will allow the squad to post bids for construction of a new facility after their building and the Celina city hall was destroyed by fire earlier this year.

“The Rogers Group’s mission is to create opportunities for people to succeed, as was evident last week when Ronny Buttrum, Rogers Group East Tennessee area manager, came here to present us with the official paperwork,” said rescue squad captain Butch Burnette. “This lot, located at the entrance of the Rogers Group quarry on River Road, will allow us to move ahead with our plans for a new building.”

Putting the squad headquarters at the quarry site will provide easy access and better response time to emergencies to “better serve the citizens of Clay County,” Burnette said.

PHOTO ABOVE RIGHT

DONATION-Ronny Buttram, regional manager of the Rogers Group, presents the official paperwork for a land donation to the Clay County Rescue Squad, which will allow the squad to construct a new building. (Photo submitted)

Burnette said they expect to be able to advertise bids for construction soon. 

“Since the fire, we still have a lot of equipment stored outdoors,” Burnette said. “We have out large pontoon lake rescue boat, an 18-foot quick response boat, two ATV trailers and our off-road 4×4 rescue squad truck out in the winter weather. We need to get our building completed and get this equipment indoors and free up the cramped facility that Rogers Group is now providing us with.

“Without this donation of land from Rogers Group, we couldn’t build a large enough building to house all our equipment,” he said. “We are very, very grateful for their support.”

The Rogers Group was founded in 1908 and celebrated its 100th anniversary “helping build better communities and being a valuable participant in each of them,” said a company spokesperson.

The company provides crushed stone, sand and gravel, asphalt paving and retaining blocks in Tennessee, Indiana, Kentucky, Arkansas and Alabama.