State Senator Rob Kane (R-32) successfully proposed
legislation this year that calls for the state Department
of Transportation to post signs at exits 15 east and
west on I-84 in Southbury for the Connecticut Antiques
Trail.
“As everyone who lives in our part of the state
already knows, this is the place to come if you love
shopping for antiques. We want to make sure that people
travelling through here know where to find our antiques
shops and dealers, and I am certain that posting these
new informational highway signs will help.” said
Senator Kane, adding that efforts to help the antiques
businesses will also benefit other types of economic
development in the region.
Senator Kane said he sought legislation for the informational
highway signs with the support of area antique dealers
and government officials. The requirement for the signs
is included in House Bill 6649, An Act Concerning
The Programs And Activities Of The Department Of Transportation
(PA 09-186). Senator Kane said that posting the
signs should be the beginning, and not the end, of efforts
to promote the region as the Connecticut Antiques Trail.
“The fact is that bringing more people to the
region to patronize antiques businesses will also help
other businesses in the area. For example, people visiting
the antiques shops may also stop for gas and have lunch
or dinner somewhere nearby. They might need something
else while they’re here and buy something in a
grocery story or a pharmacy, maybe stop for coffee.
All of this will have a powerful, positive, effect on
the area’s economy,” said Senator Kane.
Senator Kane said that, while he is delighted that
the state will post Connecticut Antiques Trail highway
signs in Southbury, he said that more can and should
be done to promote the antiques businesses in the area.
“The communities of the 32nd Senatorial District
have a great deal to offer people who enjoy antiques.
Posting signs at exit 15 on I-84 in Southbury is a terrific
way to let people know what is waiting for them just
off the highway. But, we can do more to promote all
the dealers and shops along our antiques trail through
so many of the communities in this region and I look
forward to contributing to those efforts,” said
Senator Kane.
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