In these economic times it is always exciting to see a new business open.

Food Lion opened up a nice grocery store in 2010 in Rockdale County. We were at the grand opening; there were happy smiles and great expectations.

Leading up to their grand opening they promoted their arrival in the local media, and for that time the store looked very busy. They then stopped promoting their store except through an occasional mail piece that generally ends up in the trash each week. Coupled with a weak economy and the challenge of being a relatively new brand in the area, their potential customer base's attentions dried up and now the company that owns Food Lion made a decision to close this store, along with 113 other stores in the country. This is very sad and a blow to economic recovery in Rockdale.

As far as we are concerned, the closing of Food Lion could be an example for any other business that opens or operates in our county. That lesson is you can't just build it and expect people to come. You have to set aside funds to promote your business, and you have to see that your workers are involved in community groups and activities.

In a community like ours, if you reach out and show that you care even just a little bit, folks are apt to outdo themselves in being supportive.