The owner of a local Honda dealership has been recognized for his support of the Filipino American community.
Joey Gabarda, associated with Classic Honda of Midland, received a certificate of appreciation from the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), as said in a news release. The association's mission is to inspire Filipino Americans through civic engagement, cultural preservation, and community support. NaFFAA has been advocating for the contributions Filipino Americans have made to communities across the country since 1997.
"I am truly honored to receive this recognition from NaFFAA," said Gabarda, who purchased the dealership in 2015. "It’s a privilege to give back to the community that has given so much to me. I will continue to support initiatives that empower the Filipino American community."
According to a Facebook post, Gabarda is spearheading a $25 million state-of-the-art dealership that will become the future home of the business. The facility will be located at the corner of Leisure Drive and State Highway Loop 250. Gabarda added that he chose this new location because he estimated about half of his clients come from Odessa and would have lost traffic from that area if he had purchased land on the east side of State Highway Loop 250. The project broke ground in September and is expected to be completed within eight months.