For Immediate Release – March 20, 2026

(Hartford, CT) – Connecticut Main Street Center (CMSC) recently presented the Town of Old Saybrook with a check for $3,800 to support its Flower Bed Program, a collaborative beautification initiative led by the Town’s Economic Development Department and the Old Saybrook Garden Club. The project will enhance three green spaces and 19 street‑tree planting areas along Main Street, adding color, landscaping, and vitality to the town’s central corridor.

The funds are being provided through the inaugural round of the EmPOWER Main Street Fund, which provides grants for projects that enhance downtown vibrancy. CMSC Senior Director of Programs Kristen Lopez, Field Services Director Carl Rosa, and United Illuminating’s Elizabeth Esposito, Community and Government Relations Specialist, presented the award during a visit to Old Saybrook.

Ms. Lopez praised the town’s proposal as being particularly noteworthy in the highly competitive round.  “Your application stood out for the scope of the beautification efforts and the partnership with economic development, the Garden Club, and engaging the merchants. We’re excited to support this work and see it come to life,” said Ms. Lopez.

Ms. Esposito echoed the enthusiasm for Old Saybrook’s efforts and the broader impact of thriving downtowns. “We know that the vibrancy of our towns is what makes Connecticut special. These main streets are where we want to live, to work, and to play, and these beautification efforts will only add to that vibrancy and make Old Saybrook even more special,” said Ms. Esposito.

Meanwhile, Mr. Rosa reflected on the town’s progress over the past three years since joining the CMSC member network, noting the measurable, incremental improvements CMSC has observed through its annual Main Street Management Assessment. “It’s great to see, it’s what we want to see. Onward and upward!”

Old Saybrook Director of Economic Development & Communications Jennifer Donahue expressed gratitude for the ongoing partnership with CMSC and the collaboration behind the Flower Bed Program. “We’re grateful to partner on this project with the Garden Club and with the Main Street businesses. There’s a lot of beauty on Main Street already, much of it due to the Garden Club, and we’re going to kick it up a notch with this project. We thank CMSC and Avangrid for the grant and for selecting our application—we’re really excited to get started,” said Ms. Donahue.

First Selectman Carl Fortuna highlighted the significant improvements planned for the coming year and how the new Flower Bed Program will tie into them. “This year will see big changes on our Main Street.” he said, noting recent safety upgrades to Main Street crosswalks, upcoming enhancements to their appearance, and long‑standing problem areas that will finally be addressed. “I’m grateful we’re undertaking this project in partnership with the store owners and the Garden Club. In addition to that, we’re making a large investment to the landscaping at the Town Hall, the park across the street and Chamber areas,” he added, emphasizing that a maintenance plan is already in place. “In conjunction with this project, Main Street is going to sparkle this summer. It’s going to look better than it has in years.”

The Flower Bed Program will begin this spring, with new plantings and landscaping enhancements rolling out throughout the summer.

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 round, 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: Old Saybrook First Selectman Carl Fortuna, Economic Development Director Jennifer Donahue, and members of the Garden Club are joined by Kristen Lopez 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