HOLYOKE -- They didn't show up just for the free Korean beef tacos or the cookies bearing the owner's initials, but to celebrate a Gary Rome Hyundai dealership because the business is helping the city, officials said Thursday.
Over 300 people attended the grand opening at 150 Whiting Farms Road. The dealership opened Aug. 29.
The $10 million facility employs nearly 80 people on a 19-acre site that includes a car wash, state motor vehicle inspection station and Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicle office to get license plates on site.
The event included music and food stations and a host of local and state officials, including:
Holyoke Councilor at Large James M. Leahy:
"Having Gary Rome expand in Holyoke is a fantastic thing. The demographics show people are coming to Holyoke daily to eat, shop and buy cars. Garry's expansion is another feather in Holyoke's cap."
Holyoke Mayor Alex B. Morse:
"Tonight was a great opportunity to celebrate Gary Rome and his new business. From the very beginning, this project had the support of the Holyoke community. I thank Gary and his team for their commitment to Holyoke, which has resulted in new jobs and new economic growth. I also want to thank all of the city departments and staff for their hard work to help make this project possible. This is just another example of private investment happening in our city, and we're not done yet."
"Tonight was a great opportunity to celebrate Gary Rome and his new business. From the very beginning, this project had the support of the Holyoke community. I thank Gary and his team for their commitment to Holyoke, which has resulted in new jobs and new economic growth. I also want to thank all of the city departments and staff for their hard work to help make this project possible. This is just another example of private investment happening in our city, and we're not done yet."
State Rep. Aaron M. Vega, D-Holyoke:
"It's great to see Gary grow his business right here in Holyoke and to have him and his team as a community partner."
Holyoke City Council President Kevin A. Jourdain:
Holyoke City Council President Kevin A. Jourdain:
"It was a real pleasure to join Gary and his entire dealership family in celebrating the tremendous accomplishment of opening the largest Hyundai dealership in the country right here in Holyoke. I was proud to have voted to make this reality and I wish Gary Rome Hyundai continued success in Holyoke."
Holyoke Councilor at Large Rebecca Lisi, formerly chairwoman of the council's Ordinance Committee:
"The Ordinance Committee under my leadership and the Planning Board took a lot of time considering the public's comments on this project and it clearly paid off. I think that this is truly the best project that we would have found for the site."
Rome said the event drew over 300 people.
"It's been a really great turnout," Rome said.
Rome said that after the months of government hearings and permit-seeking from city boards, he wanted to hold the grand opening of the dealership to note the success of the business, which he said has increased at the new site.
"We're so excited with the result that I wanted to share the experience," Rome said.
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