POCATELLO — Phil Meador said the economic outlook for the Gate City is better than it was a year ago and the groundbreaking for his new Toyota dealership is proof of that.

    Meador, along with his wife, Bekki Meador, son, Jason Meador, local dignitaries and contractors and members of the Pocatello Chiefs took part in the groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday.

    The six and a half-acre, 40,000 square-foot dealership is set to open in August of 2014. The site will include a lube center and car wash.

    Jason said the new store, located next to Courtesy Ford on Flandro Drive, will provide much needed space.      

    “Our current service center is not big enough,” Jason said. “We believe a person should be able to get their oil changed in one day.”

    The present Toyota dealership, located on Yellowstone Avenue will be renovated and Meador’s Subaru dealership will move into the site when the new venue is complete.

    Jason said 10 to 15 new positions will be added to the payroll when the new location opens next year.

    Phil Meador Toyota serves 3,200 customers each year.

    Originally from Payette, Phil and Bekki moved to Pocatello and opened their first car dealership in 1977, the store was located at 658 North Main Street.

    “Pocatello has been good to us,” Bekki said.

    Mike Sanders emceed Tuesday’s event and he said Phil does not like to blow his own horn.

    But Sanders said, Meador’s sponsorship of the city’s annual Fourth of July celebration and the Perfect Attendance Spells Success program, which gives new bikes to fifth- and sixth-graders who maintain perfect attendance in school, exemplifies his commitment to the Gate City.

    “They definitely care about the city,” Sanders said. “They do it to say thank you.”

    Pro Builders will construct the new dealership and owner Gary Chisum said the new site has been five years in the making.

    Chisum and architect Hal Jensen surveyed car dealerships throughout the Pacific Northwest to develop and design the new Toyota sales and service center.

    Chubbuck Mayor Steve England said cooperative effort between Chubbuck and Pocatello has helped both cities to move forward and the Meadors have been a big part of that.

    “We appreciate that he supports this community,” England said.

    Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad said Phil and Bekki have been community leaders since moving to the Gate City.

    Blad said the fact Phil employed a local contractor and design team to complete the project exemplifies his commitment to Pocatello and Chubbuck.

    “Phil doesn’t just talk the talk, he also walks the walk,” Blad said.

    Phil said the new Toyota dealership is aimed at providing better service to his current customers and attracting new customers.

    Phil also owns Courtesy Ford, and Phil Meador Subaru, employing 165 workers at all three sites.