First Niagara Ribbon Cutting in Rocky Hill Friday

First Niagara Bank held a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday afternoon for their newest bank branch at 1901 Silas Deane Highway in Rocky Hill.

Bank representatives, members of the Rocky Hill Chamber of Commerce and the town economic development commission gathered outside the new bank branch at noon Friday to officially commemorate their newest branch.

“I thank you for being here,” Economic Development Commission Chair Mike Bocchini said. “I thank you for what you’ll do for this town.”

Friday’s grand opening was the third recent branch opening in Hartford: a new Plainville branch opened on Oct. 12, and a new Avon branch opened on Oct. 18.

The Rocky Hill branch was chosen for its location on the traffic-heavy Silas Deane Highway, and was extensively converted from an old Tim Horton’s location.

“It took many people a lot of hard work,” First Niagara North East Regional President David V. Ring said of the renovations.

State Senator Paul Doyle, D, came out to welcome the newest bank branch to town, congratulating them on utilizing the town’s existing infrastructure rather than building anew.

During the ceremony, the bank also presented the Rocky Hill Education Foundation with a $5,000 grant. The foundation supports the Rocky Hill school systems, donating money towards projects like new high school band equipment or smart boards for the middle school.