Main Street business leader continues family tradition of community service
By Andrew Harris,
I had the chance to sit down and chat with the newly installed leader of the dynamic Wellsville Development Corporation, aka the WDC. Molly Cole’s office is inside the historic Thornton Building in downtown Wellsville, where she is an owner and a Registered Representative at Gem Wealth Planning Group, LLC.
After a long and successful term of leadership from Carrie Redman, the Wellsville Development Corp tapped Molly to lead the group into the future. Cole has been active with the WDC for years as a board member and volunteer community builder. Focused on supporting the Wellsville business community, the WDC has a huge impact with projects like Main Street flowers to the Taste of Wellsville festival.
Outgoing WDC President Carrie Redman is confident the good work will continue with Molly at the helm:
Serving as president of the Wellsville Development Corporation for the past five years has been an incredible honor. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made together to strengthen our community and support local growth. As I step down and hand over the reins to Molly, I do so with complete confidence in her leadership, vision, and dedication. She brings fresh energy and thoughtful insight to the role, and I know the organization will continue to thrive under her guidance.
Molly was raised in Wellsville, and is a part of two wonderful local families, the Walsh and Cole clans. She grew up in the heart of the village and fondly reflects on her childhood here as a “truly magical time.” She remembers a village filled with dedicated community members, passionate business owners, and selfless volunteers who worked together to make Wellsville a special place to call home. Their commitment and spirit helped shape her love for the community. Cole hopes to carry that same spirit forward, she is committed to helping create that same magic and belonging for the next generation growing up in Wellsville.
Molly points to a few of things that make her hometown a special place:
“Wellsville isn’t just another small town, we have lots people, events, and places that really sets us apart. Think of our historic, walkable downtown in the middle of summer, full of flowers and surrounded by rolling green hills. The library is amazing, the Pink House is just one of many gorgeous homes and buildings, and we have the Genesee River flowing through our lives!! It really is a magical place and I almost forgot about the balloon rally!!”
With a perspective like that, it makes sense that Molly is so involved with keeping Wellsville a great place to work and live. She has been a board member of the Wellsville Development Corporation (WDC) since 2020 and jumped at the chance for the lead role on the board. As the President of the WDC, Cole plays one of the key roles in shaping community and business in Wellsville. Currently the WDC is responsible for events like The Murder Mystery Dinner and Holiday Auction and Raffle. Ongoing projects for the WDC include fundraising, maintaining the annual flower planters and Holiday Light displays on Main Street and offering of micro-grants to businesses and non-profits.
Molly comes by this kind of community service ethos naturally, her mom is longtime community and business leader Mary Kate Cole ! In fact, Mary Kate was instrumental in the founding of the WDC and served as the President for many years! Clearly she set a powerful example and it wasn’t lost on Molly!
“I have always been very proud of my mom and her commitment to working behind the scenes to make life better in Wellsville. To follow in her footsteps with the WDC is an honor and I’m glad to she’s easy to find if I need advice! And.. don’t forget my dad Jeremy Cole! He’s always willing to help out a community cause and he even served as an elected village trustee ! Both of my parents inspire and motivate me!”
I asked her about one of the nagging problems for businesses and landlords in the village: Parking. Finding a spot on Main Street can be like winning the lottery, private lots are full and restricted, and seasonal restrictions add even more pressure. Molly wonders if visitors are not aware of the public parking lots, which often are hidden behind buildings. Clear signage could help with that issue. Adding time restrictions to parking spaces could also help, such as “2-Hour Parking Zones”. Another idea: angled parking which I know has been brought up in the past by numerous community members. This parking format could increase the number of cars able to park on main street, which in turn could lead to more downtown visits. Easier parking would be a plus, too!
We discussed a recent Letter to the Editor by Dr. Zahi Kassas which warned that if Wellsville doesn’t pay attention to crumbling houses and trash buildup, the economy will suffer. I wondered what Molly thought about the WDC expanding their beautification efforts into a broader effort:
“Making Wellsville a wonderful place starts with its residents. The WDC currently is offering Betterment & Beautification Mini Grants. The purpose of this program is to assist with funding for a beautification project that takes place within Wellsville, NY.
Community service projects add to the overall improvement and beauty of Wellsville!
Since the Mini Grants inception in 2021, the WDC have had some incredible projects completed. Some of the projects include little free libraries, landscaping improvements at Veteran’s Park, The Hart Comfort House, Colligan Park & David A. Howe Library, a Clean Up Day at the Wellsville Elk’s Lodge, and many more. We are thankful for all of the wonderful projects that have come out of this program, we are looking forward to 2026’s round of applicants! We plan to announce grant recipients at the end of May, so there is still time to apply.”
There is another upcoming opportunity to get involved and volunteer; The Wellsville Area Chamber of Commerce is having their annual “Community Clean Up Day,” on April 18th from 10:00am to 2:00pm, and volunteers are still needed! Molly has helped at the Community Clean Up Day for a couple of years and is always amazing the difference that can be made in a matter of a couple of hours.
Molly said she’s very excited about another WDC event that is approaching, “Banter, Business, and Beverages,” where she will announce some new projects coming to fruition!
The event will take place the the Wellsville Country Club. The “BBB” is a regular happy hour style event that brings interested parties together for good old fashioned mingling. Anyone may attend this free event, it is a great networking opportunity, and it gives you the chance to meet members of the board, and learn more about the WDC’s mission. If you RSVP before 04/09, you will get a free drink coupon. The RSVP link is; LINKTR.EE/WLSVDEVELOPMENTCORP
Read more about Molly’s recent appearance in the Sun after being appointed to the Alfred State Educational Foundation Board:
