The business association seeks participants

PINE PLAINS —  The town’s business association has been “pretty dormant,â€� but Carl Baden, a volunteer member of the Pine Plains Business Association, said he is “getting the ball rolling.â€�

“We just want it to go somewhere,� he said. “It’s the start of a rebirth.�

The group met last Tuesday, Feb. 24, at the Lions Club Pavilion to organize itself and kick around a few ideas. About 10 people attended.

One topic was how to generate community interest in the association and sign up new members.

“One person told me they drove up and saw five cars so they drove home,� Baden said. “I said if they parked and came in there would have been six cars.I’m hoping to overcome that mentality. I’m hoping for more people to turn out, to come with their thoughts and ideas, to better our community and to make it more enjoyable for the town folk and to promote more business.�

Other ideas the association has discussed include providing insurance for employees of local businesses under one umbrella, something that was discussed in the 1990s. Also, popular events like Decorating Day and the Ag Fair, which attract large crowds of people to the town, were discussed.

“We’ve got to have something to get people motivated to get involved,� Baden said. “We can’t just meet once a month, we’ve got to be doing something and not just drinking coffee. We’re talking about promoting and expanding events in town that are a big draw and making them more lucrative.�

And the business association is not exclusive to only business owners; residents in town are also welcome.

“If they want to add to the conversation, but don’t have a business, they can come, too,� Baden said. “Nothing is set in stone.�

Baden said he wants one simple message to get out to all of Pine Plains: The business association is alive and well. It just needs some added support. The group’s next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 10, at 7:30 p.m. at Stissing National Bank, located on the corner of Church and Main streets. For more information on the Pine Plains Business Association, call 518-398-5942.