Business Now! A Group Hoping To Help Businesses In Rocky Hill

Scott Coleman is not happy with the business climate in Rocky Hill. Instead of just talking about it, Coleman is trying to do something about it. He has formed a group called Business Now!

"It is a bunch of business owners who have gotten together to try to not only improve the quality of business dealings we have in town  but also to plan and organize so that we can help people," said Coleman, who owns PC America. "We want to help consumers find the local stores that can help them.

"We have been working on it for several months now. We want to change the business attitude in the town. It is a well-known fact that 65 percent of business done by Rocky Hill residents leaves town. We are trying to change that and revitalize business."

While most who drive on Silas Deane Highway think it is a bustling combination of retail and wholesale business, Coleman says not so fast.

"I think Silas Deane is a bit of a ghost town right now," he said. "We saw the Kawasaki dealership leave and then the automotive store left. They have never been able to find a buyer for Ames or put any development in there. We need a new strategy and we need a new plan."

Coleman says he does not want to fight the Rocky Hill Chamber of Commerce or anyone at city hall. He hopes to work with both Economic Development and Planning and Zoning to give the departments ideas of how to help local businesses.

"Anyone can come and be part of what we are trying to do," Coleman said. "We dont call each other members because there is no fee to be part of this group. Anyone who likes to sit around a table and exchange ideas about how to improve business and is open to hearing new ideas is welcome."

The group will meet with the Cora J. Belden Library Tuesday night at 6 p.m. The library runs many programs and Coleman is hoping to help the library focus on some new programs or to fine tune some existing programs so that it will funnel patrons of the programs to think and buy locally. 

Another major project on the horizon is to ask the Planning and Zoning Commission to look at its regulations and make a change as far as signage goes.
"We are very limited in what we can do with signage," Coleman said. "We would like them to look at the regulations and allows us to use more of the space on the property we either own or are leasing. We should be able to promote more and we hope they will take a look at that." 

Coleman welcomes all to join in his cause. If they cant make the meeting at the library on Tuesday night they can contact him at his store, PC America at (860) 529-1777