For Immediate Release – March 6, 2026
(Hartford, CT) – Connecticut Main Street Center (CMSC) recently presented First Town Downtown (FTDT), Windsor’s main street management organization, with a check for $8,200 – the largest grant award from the EmPOWER Main Street Fund’s inaugural round. The funds will support the launch of a new downtown loyalty program designed to draw visitors and patrons to Windsor’s downtown businesses.
CMSC Executive Director, Michelle McCabe, Field Services Director, Carl Rosa, and Elizabeth Esposito, Community and Government Relations Specialist for United Illuminating, who also serves on CMSC’s Board of Directors, presented the check to First Town Downtown at their February Board meeting. Ms. McCabe commended the organization for their work, noting FTDT is one of CMSC’s oldest member communities and one of the few non-profit main street organizations in Connecticut.
Ms. McCabe highlighted Windsor’s momentum and the strength of their EmPOWER project proposal in the highly competitive application round. She noted that the new digital gift card program is a best practice that will propel the downtown forward. “It is really exciting to see the new stores and new development projects in the downtown since we were here for our Spotlight on Main event two years ago. I know that the people that came to that event were really inspired by what they saw and Windsor’s plans for the future. Now so many of these plans have been realized and the project funded through EmPOWER will continue that momentum in support of Windsor’s downtown business community,” said Ms. McCabe.
Ms. Esposito echoed the excitement behind the grant proposal. “I think Windsor’s project is going to be a wonderful example for other communities in the state and the region.” Having attended Loomis Chaffee High School, she marveled at the change in the downtown. “Broad Street is unrecognizable from what it was back then. It makes me so happy to see how much has happened here and I can’t wait to see it continue.”
First Town Downtown’s Executive Director Debra Delucia thanked CMSC, saying “We couldn’t do what we do without your support, your education, and your outreach — you’re always there for us when we need something.” She also thanked Avangrid for the grant funding, noting, “This program will help strengthen the connection between our community and local businesses, encouraging people to support the places that make Windsor’s downtown so special.”
About the EmPOWER Main Street Fund
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., with $25,000 in seed funding. The program provides grants to CMSC member communities within the utilities’ service territories for projects that enhance downtown vibrancy, including lighting, beautification, signage, and commercial space improvements.
In its first grant cycle, three Connecticut communities were awarded funding: Old Saybrook, Westville Village Renaissance Alliance, and Windsor’s First Town Downtown. Their projects reflect the diverse needs of Connecticut’s downtowns and the creativity and commitment of local stakeholders working to make them more vibrant and welcoming.
CMSC and Avangrid encourage other businesses and corporations interested in supporting Connecticut’s downtowns to contribute to the EmPOWER Main Street Fund for its 2027 round. For more information on the EmPOWER grant or how to become a sponsoring organization, email Carl Rosa at carl@ctmainstreet.org.
About the Photo: First Town Downtown Board members are joined by Michelle McCabe and Carl Rosa (CMSC), and Elizabeth Esposito (UI) for the EmPOWER grant award presentation. Photo taken by Christine Schilke for CMSC.
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Media Contact
Christine Schilke
Senior Director, Communications & Marketing
860-280.2356
christine@ctmainstreet.org
