BENNINGTON — December 2025 marks a meaningful milestone for Coggins Auto Group, as the company celebrates its 5-year anniversary of local, family-owned operation of Coggins Toyota of Bennington, Coggins Honda of Bennington, and Coggins of the Berkshires.

When owner Mike Coggins purchased the stores in 2020, his goal was simple but ambitious: restore a true sense of community-minded dealership culture—something he felt had faded under previous national ownership.

“My primary focus from day one was bringing back that connection to the region,” Coggins said in 2021. “This area values real relationships. They want to know the people they’re doing business with. We set out to rebuild that trust.”

Since taking ownership, Coggins Auto Group has become an active community partners—supporting local youth sports, first-responder initiatives, nonprofit fundraisers, holiday giving programs, cancer support organizations, and dozens of family-centered events across Bennington County, Berkshire County, and nearby New York towns.

“Our journey started in Bennington, and growing into the Berkshires with our stand-alone store in 2023 was a natural next step,” said Scott O’Connell, General Manager. “We serve customers across Vermont, Massachusetts, and New York, and we take that responsibility seriously. Community involvement isn’t a tagline for us—it’s our identity.”

When the stores were purchased five years ago, they were considered 2-star dealerships in online ratings. Today, all three Coggins locations collectively average 4.7 stars with numerous positive reviews.

“Reading our customers’ genuine feedback tells the story better than I ever could,” O’Connell said. “People feel the difference. They feel respected, they feel heard, and they feel taken care of.”

Coggins and O’Connell credits the group’s growth to an unwavering focus on people—not quotas.

“What truly sets us apart is our people,” said O’Connell. “The culture our team shows up with every day—supportive, honest, and customer-focused—is what creates the experience our guests feel. When your employees care about each other and their community, that naturally translates into customers who feel genuinely cared for.”

As the company enters its sixth year, Coggins Auto Group plans to continue expanding its community involvement, customer experience initiatives, and regional partnerships—building on the strong foundation created over the past half-decade.

“We’ve built something we’re proud of, but we’re nowhere near finished,” said O’Connell. “The people here deserve top-tier service and support, and we’re thankful to have a role in what comes next for this community.”

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The co-founder of private equity giant Apollo Global Management, Josh Harris was among the first in a trend of financial executives acquiring pro teams when he and David Blitzer bought the Philadelphia 76ers in 2011. Their Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment has since added the New Jersey Devils and Crystal Palace F.C., among other sports holdings, while the pair has separately backed leading youth sports roll-up Unrivaled. But Harris has had no greater influence than in leading the acquisition of the Washington Commanders for a then-record $6 billion in 2023. That deal led to a complete overhaul of the franchise, set a new floor for NFL team transactions and is now driving plans for a nearly $4 billion stadium.

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The Shelby Area Chamber of Commerce has created its own local currency to encourage residents to shop at hometown businesses and keep money circulating within the community.

“These chamber bucks are our own currency. We print them up just like Monopoly money,” said Shane Adams, executive director of the Shelby Area Chamber of Commerce. “People come and buy them from me, and then they’ll either give them as gifts, as a bonus or whatever. To whoever, and then they’ll spend it locally within our community.”

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Shelby Chamber Bucks program helps keep money in the community

“These businesses are the ones that support our community, like the youth sports programs,” Adams said. “These businesses will sponsor their teams to help them have these activities for our community. These bigger businesses that are like online and such, they won’t do that. Our local will support our local people.”

Timothy Moylan, owner of Ace Hardware Shelby Paint and Hardware, said the chamber bucks helps small businesses compete with online retailers.

“A lot of these small businesses are struggling these days, you know, with the Amazon online and all that,” Moylan said. “And we want to keep them going. It helps the communities stay alive, keeps the Main Street businesses alive.”

“It’s really brought a lot more business to our stores,” Moylan said. “And I’m sure other businesses can say the same about people keeping it local and strong. You know, keep these smaller communities alive and with the businesses that you’re here in town, it just it supports them really well.”

“It brings the community together and make sure that they keep the money here in town for the smaller businesses,” Moylan said. “And I think it adds to the businesses it keeps in communication with each other.”