Announcing: BREO

October 19, 2005
For Immediate Release

Pullman Residents Form Organization to Support Growth and Opportunity

Pullman, WA – Saying Pullman deserves retail choices and “an opportunity to shop at home,” Russ and April Coggins announced the formation of Businesses and Residents for Economic Opportunity (BREO), an organization that supports free enterprise, business growth, and healthy competition. The Coggins are owners of Pullman Honda.

“A lot has been said about small businesses having to compete with Wal-Mart. We will be in that position,” the Coggins said, “and we welcome it.” Pullman Honda sells lawn and garden implements including lawn mowers, and accessories for all terrain vehicles, items that are also sold at Wal-Mart Supercenters.

“This is an exciting time for Pullman,” the Coggins agreed. “Housing starts are up, filling a tremendous need in our community. WSU has 2,900 new freshmen, and Duane Brelsford is busy building hundreds of new apartments to accommodate incoming students. Schweitzer Engineering has over 100 posted positions. The library expansion is complete, our airport is expanding, and we have a brand new hospital, but there’s something seriously missing in this mix,” the Coggins agreed.

“We need new retail and commercial expansion, and BREO welcomes those who are inquiring about locating in Pullman,” April Coggins said. “We also strongly support our current businesses and believe that increasing the number of people who shop in Pullman will be of benefit to small, locally-owned businesses such as ours and others in our downtown core,” she added.

Pullman Honda is currently considering relocating to a vacant building on Bishop Blvd. because of the proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter. "The promise of increased retail traffic in Pullman is encouraging the store to expand into a new and better location," the Coggins said, "however, easier access, more parking, and increased inventory can only be supported with more customers." Wal-Mart and the subsequent retail growth it will bring are tantamount to the Coggins’ decision. Without new growth, they will have to "wait and see if expansion can be supported," the Coggins added.

April Coggins is a life-long resident of Pullman and is encouraged by the potential growth she sees. “We have great leadership in Pullman right now with our mayor Glenn Johnson and our city council members,” April Coggins said. “We have a comprehensive plan in place that’s working,” she added, “and I am grateful to those who had the foresight to develop such a plan. We are now enjoying the fruits of their labor.”

The Coggins were among the original signers and signature gatherers of a full-page ad supporting the proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter that appeared in a local newspaper in August. April Coggins said that many others who signed that ad have become members of BREO. To learn more about BREO, visit its website at: www.letsgrowpullman.com or e-mail breo@adelphia.net.

It's time we make our voices heard.