2026 EmPOWER Grant Recipients – Connecticut Main Street Center

2026 EmPOWER Main Street Fund Grant Recipients

Three Connecticut communities were chosen to receive funding for beautification, lighting, and digital innovation projects

The Town of Old Saybrook, Westville Village Renaissance Alliance, and Windsor’s First Town Downtown have been announced as the first recipients of EmPOWER Main Street Fund grants to implement projects that will enhance the vibrancy and appeal of their downtowns.

The EmPOWER Main Street Fund was launched in June 2025 in partnership with United Illuminating (UI), Connecticut Natural Gas (CNG), and Southern Connecticut Gas (SCG) – subsidiaries of Avangrid, Inc. and is seeded by a $25,000 investment from the utilities.

The program provides CMSC member towns within the companies’ service areas with funding for main street improvement projects such as lighting, beautification, signage, and commercial space enhancements.

The grant recipients and projects are a reflection of the diverse nature of Connecticut’s downtowns and the ingenuity and commitment of local stakeholders:

Town of Old Saybrook

Flower Bed Program – $3,800

Three green spaces and 19 street tree planting areas on Main Street will be beautified through a partnership between the Town’s Economic Development Department and the Old Saybrook Garden Club.

Westville Village Renaissance Alliance

Holiday Lighting Program – $5,000

Festive lighting will be installed on 38 trees along Whalley Avenue and Fountain Street, creating a welcoming seasonal atmosphere and strengthening the district’s visual identity.

First Town Downtown, Windsor

Digital Loyalty Program – $8,200

A centralized digital loyalty platform will be developed to support small businesses, drive customer traffic, and promote Windsor Center as a unified shopping destination.

The selected projects will be implemented beginning in spring 2026, continuing CMSC’s mission to foster vibrant, walkable downtowns across Connecticut.

Learn More About the EmPOWER Main Street Fund