CMSC ANNOUNCEMENT
October 17, 2022

Connecticut Main Street Center announces the departure of Kimberley Parsons-Whitaker, Senior Director of Main Street Services & Projects, effective Friday, October 21^st. Kim will be assuming a new post with the Connecticut Department of Community and Economic Development, where she’ll serve as Community Development Specialist, managing the CT Communities Challenge Grant Program.

Kim joined CMSC in 2001, shortly after the then-Connecticut Light & Power Company (now Eversource) restructured the original CT Main Street Program into the Connecticut Main Street Center, an independent non-profit. Over that time, CMSC’s member communities relied on Kim as she guided them through community visioning and planning, in-depth consultancies, and countless training and networking events, in addition to her endless advice and encouragement.

Kim contributed enormously to the growth and success of CMSC, helping to grow membership to over 80 communities, more than doubling the staff, and most recently serving as Interim CEO. She leaves the organization with an expanded team of professionals to assist Main Streets across the state and in the capable hands of new Executive Director, Michelle McCabe.

Kim is looking forward to the opportunity to transition into a new role after many years with CMSC. “While my colleagues have known about this for a while, I’m glad I can finally share the news with everyone else. I’m proud of what CMSC has accomplished and thrilled with where it’s headed. I’m excited to see what they do next and excited about taking on this new challenge at DECD. It really feels like a natural evolution for CMSC and for me,” said Kim.

“Kim did an excellent job helming the organization through its transition and laying the foundation for me to be able to jump right in. DECD is a great partner of ours, and it will be a tremendous benefit to have Kim’s specific expertise at the State level. I am thrilled for Kim as she starts this exciting new chapter and look forward to working with her in her new capacity,” said Michelle McCabe, CMSC Executive Director.

“Kim has been a mainstay here at CT Main Street Center for decades. She was a go-to resource to myself when serving as the Mayor of Torrington and has remained so during my service on the Board of Directors. Her contributions to downtowns in Connecticut are incalculable. On behalf of the Board here at CT Main Street Center, we wish her the best in her new role with DECD and look forward to working with Kim for many years to come,” said Ryan Bingham, CMSC Board Chair.

CMSC is looking forward to celebrating Kim at a December event. In the meantime, please join us in thanking Kim for her service to CMSC and Connecticut’s downtowns, and wishing her much success in her new role at DECD.

CMSC is the expert resource for developing and sustaining vibrant downtowns that fuel our state’s prosperity. Our mission is to assess, educate, convene, and advocate to develop and grow our traditional downtowns, village centers, and urban mixed-use neighborhoods. We provide education and training, resources and technical assistance, and function as the statewide champion for downtowns and Main Streets of all sizes.

CMSC is supported by its Founding Partners, Eversource Energy and the Department of Economic & Community Development (DECD). CMSC is also supported by its Growth Partners, UIL Holdings and the State Historic Preservation Office. More information is available at www.ctmainstreet.org. 

The Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce Foundation, in partnership with the City of Waterbury, is launching a new economic investment program aimed at helping central business district property owners lease their vacant storefronts.

The initiative, named the Central Business District Investment Program (CBDIP), uses $1.5 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds for a new matching grant program that is designed to help property owners within the district who were negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the program, eligible property owners can receive up to $100,000 to be used for interior or exterior buildout costs for vacant ground floor-level retail space. Property owners with vacant storefronts are eligible for a grant of $50 per square foot, up to $100,000. Any grant awarded to a property owner must be matched at 100 percent by the owner of the property, the tenant, or a combination of both parties. Applications are now being accepted; to get started, click here.

The Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce Foundation is an affiliate of the Waterbury Regional Chamber. Waterbury Regional Chamber staff serve as GWCC Foundation staff and are directing and leading the program. An oversight and approval committee, compromised of City officials and Chamber Foundation officials are responsible for reviewing and awarding the grants.

CMSC is the expert resource for developing and sustaining vibrant downtowns that fuel our state’s prosperity. Our mission is to assess, educate, convene, and advocate to develop and grow our traditional downtowns, village centers, and urban mixed-use neighborhoods. We provide education and training, resources and technical assistance, and function as the statewide champion for downtowns and Main Streets of all sizes.

CMSC is supported by its Founding Partners, Eversource Energy and the Department of Economic & Community Development (DECD). CMSC is also supported by its Growth Partners, UIL Holdings and the State Historic Preservation Office. More information is available at www.ctmainstreet.org. 

Governor Ned Lamont announced the launch of the Connecticut Small Business Boost Fund, a public-private partnership that provides low-interest loans to small businesses and nonprofits in Connecticut. Businesses can now apply for loans ranging from $5,000 to $500,000.

The program is aimed at helping small businesses and nonprofits, particularly those in low-income and historically underserved communities, with access to flexible working capital. The loans have a fixed, 4.5% interest rate and are available to eligible small businesses and nonprofits with operations in Connecticut that have 100 or fewer full-time employees and annual revenues of less than $8 million.

The state is making a foundational investment of $75 million into this public-private partnership,  with the other $75 million coming from private banks, including CMSC Corporate Investor M&T Bank.  The goal is for the fund to become self-sustaining as more private funds are invested. 

Small businesses and nonprofits can apply online at CTSmallBusinessBoostFund.org, and if they qualify, they will be matched with a lender. Once matched, the participating lender will assist the business owner throughout the application process. This lending model has previously found success in programs based in California, New York, and Washington state.

The fund works with and through local community development financial institutions (CDFIs) and lenders that have decades of experience serving historically under-resourced and underbanked communities. The following CDFIs are participating in the program, including CMSC Corporate Investor Capital for Change:

• Ascendus
• Capital for Change
• HEDCO
• NDC Community Impact Loan Fund
• Pursuit
• Southeastern CT Enterprise Region (SeCTer)

It is administered by the National Development Council (NDC) with funding arranged by Calvert Impact Capital. In addition to funding from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), initial funding has been provided by Citizens Bank, M&T Bank, and First Republic Bank.

“We consider this program to be a one-stop shop for small-business owners,” DECD Commissioner David Lehman said. “What separates the Connecticut Small Business Boost Fund from other loan programs is that it offers support and guidance services, in addition to the financial assistance, that helps put recipients on the path to success.”

“At M&T we recognize that small businesses are the backbone of our local economies, especially in underserved and diverse communities,” Michael Weinstock, M&T Bank regional president for Hartford, said. “That’s why we’re proud to be joining the Connecticut Small Business Boost Fund to support small businesses and nonprofits that too often lack access to affordable, flexible credit. Our focus as a community bank has always been on providing resources that financially empower our customers. This partnership is another important action we are taking to further that mission.”

For more information and to apply, visit CTSmallBusinessBoostFund.org.

CMSC is the expert resource for developing and sustaining vibrant downtowns that fuel our state’s prosperity. Our mission is to assess, educate, convene, and advocate to develop and grow our traditional downtowns, village centers, and urban mixed-use neighborhoods. We provide education and training, resources and technical assistance, and function as the statewide champion for downtowns and Main Streets of all sizes.

CMSC is supported by its Founding Partners, Eversource Energy and the Department of Economic & Community Development (DECD). CMSC is also supported by its Growth Partners, UIL Holdings and the State Historic Preservation Office. More information is available at www.ctmainstreet.org. 

CMSC’s Field Services Director, Carl Rosa, recently received a State of Connecticut citation recognizing his years of service with Main Street Waterbury (a CMSC member community), where he served as CEO for 17 years.

Known as “Mr. Main Street” in the Waterbury community, the citation recognizes Carl for bringing the Brass City Brew and Que Fest to the downtown and improving the business environment for downtown merchants. The award also notes his, “Waterbury spirit was very evident in his work. His wisdom and experience from Main Street Waterbury will surely be a huge benefit to Connecticut Main Street Center.” 

Carl was presented the award by Rep. Ronald A. Napoli, Jr., 73^rd district, Sen. Joan Hartley, 15^th district, and Rep. Geraldo C. Reyes, Jr., 75^th district during a recent event at Signature’s Restaurant in downtown Waterbury on May 25th.

Media Contact: 
Christine Schilke
Communications & Strategy Director
860-280-2356
christine@ctmainstreet.org 

(Hartford, CT) – Connecticut Main Street Center (CMSC) is excited to introduce Michelle McCabe as its new Executive Director, effective July 5^th.  Ms. McCabe takes over from Kimberley Parsons-Whitaker, who has served as CMSC’s Interim CEO for the last year after Patrick McMahon’s departure in late July 2021.

Ms. McCabe brings several years of non-profit management experience to CMSC, coming from HomeBridge Ventures, a non-profit focused on holistic workforce development and re-entry programming for formerly incarcerated individuals, where she has served as Interim Executive Director since last October. Prior to that, Ms. McCabe spent seven years as Director of the FEED Center with The Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport. In the course of this work, she built multiple programs from the ground up, leading strategic planning and fundraising efforts, and guiding boards and staff through organizational change. Her experience also extends to successful public/private collaborations, community engagement, and policy advocacy.

Ms. McCabe is expected to lead CMSC through a time of growth, helming a recently doubled staff of six. Her experience in program development and strategic planning will be especially useful as CMSC continues to expand its educational and technical assistance programming, member assistance offerings, and looks to take a larger role in championing statewide policies that benefit Connecticut’s downtowns and Main Streets.

As a resident of Fairfield (a CMSC Main Street community), Ms. McCabe has an appreciation for the many benefits a vibrant downtown offers, as well as CMSC’s role in building local capacity for successfully managing a downtown. “I love how a great downtown invites you in with a charming main street, restaurants, shops and entertainment venues. I can’t wait to begin working with CMSC’s staff and Board to replicate and grow this kind of magic, and to help people better understand the powerful economic and social impacts that happen as a result of well-managed downtowns, both for the community individually and the state collectively,” said Ms. McCabe.

CMSC’s Board and staff are equally enthusiastic for her to begin. Ms. McCabe was selected after an extensive search led by CMSC’s Board of Directors. “We’re very much looking forward to welcoming Michelle into the fold and working with her to bring our long-term goals to fruition,” said Ryan Bingham, CMSC’s incoming Chair and Senior Director of Government Affairs/Lobbyist at Sullivan & LeShane, Inc. “Our board and staff were committed to finding the right person to lead CMSC and we’re confident we’ve done just that.”

“The staff and Board have spent the last year putting together an excellent team of professionals to help our downtowns,” said Ms. Parsons-Whitaker, CMSC’s Interim CEO. “Finding Michelle was the last piece of the puzzle, and we’re enthusiastic about seeing all that we can accomplish with a full team and a clear direction.”

CMSC will be holding a series of regional events in the summer and early fall to introduce Ms. McCabe and the rest of the CMSC staff, including the three staff who recently joined in December and February.  

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CMSC is the expert resource for developing and sustaining vibrant downtowns that fuel our state’s prosperity. Our mission is to assess, educate, convene, and advocate to develop and grow our traditional downtowns, village centers, and urban mixed-use neighborhoods. We provide education and training, resources and technical assistance, and function as the statewide champion for downtowns and Main Streets of all sizes.CMSC is supported by its Founding Sponsors, the Department of Economic & Community Development (DECD) and Eversource Energy. CMSC is also supported by its Growth Sponsors, UIL Holdings and the State Historic Preservation Office. More information is available at www.ctmainstreet.org. 

CMSC recognized four Board members for their years of service during our Annual Meeting in June.  Incoming Chair Ryan Bingham also recognized outgoing Chair Mike Andreana for his years at the helm, leading the organization through a time of transition and growth.

The Board members recognized for their service are:

Shelly Saczynski 

• Shelly (pictured above) was first elected to the CMSC board in 2007 and served three terms. She took a year off, then came back! She served as Chair of the Board from 2009 to 2013 and Chair of the Governance Committee from 2019 to 2021. Shelly’s many contributions to CMSC can be summed up in comments from two long-time leaders of the organization:
  • CMSC’s founding CEO, John Simone, said: “I believe Shelly stands out as having provided us with the most Wisdom, Wealth and Work. She always wanted to know what our most important priorities were and how she and the board could best help in addressing them.  She was committed equally to the well-being of her fellow board members and our staff.”
  • In the words of former CMSC Board member Kim Healey, “Shelly is thorough, inquisitive, rational, disciplined, dedicated, and ALWAYS shows up. She is the “go-to” person for non-profits when they need confidential, clear eyed advice.”
  • We agree, CT Main Street Center is a better organization because of Shelly!

Randal Davis

• Randal served on the Board for five years, from 2017 to 2022.
• He was elected to the CMSC Board when he was Special Advisor to former CT DOT Commissioner James Redeker. In this capacity, Randal was an important liaison between a changing DOT and our Main Street Communities – especially as Complete Streets and Transit Oriented Development became priority areas on Main Street.
• Randal continues to serve the people of Connecticut, and is currently the Deputy Director of Development Services for the City of Hartford.
• He also serves as the Vice Chair of the Board for Partnership for Strong Communities
• Over the years, he has consistently been a voice of calm reason, asking the important questions, and providing CMSC with wise guidance.

Diana Deng 

• Diana served on the Board from 2016 to 2022, and as our Board Secretary from 2017 to 2022.
• She was recently promoted to Assistant Director of Real Estate Development at CIL, whose vision is “that all people will have access to quality housing that enhances independence in neighborhoods of their choice”
• She also formerly served as Policy & Communications Analyst for Partnership for Strong Communities.
• In addition to her Board roles, Diana supported CMSC by championing the necessity of quality housing choices in vibrant communities, an important priority area for CMSC.

Toni Berlandy

• Toni served on the Board from 2016 to 2022.
• As a Community Relations Specialist for Eversource Energy, Toni served as an effective liaison between CMSC and Eversource and the Eversource Foundation.
• She is responsible for developing and maintaining a relationship with thirteen municipalities in Northern Central Connecticut
• Toni has been an effective champion of CMSC’s mission and work, conveying our impact to Eversource leadership. This was critical in securing our historic funding support from the corporation.

Michael Andreana

• Mike served as Chair of the CMSC Board of Directors from 2018 to 2022.
• He has been invaluable to our organization, having led us through what was perhaps the most challenging – and rewarding – time in our history as we faced the Covid pandemic and its ripple effects.
• Mike is always kind, thoughtful, and analytic. He’s a great listener, and always acts in the best interest of the organization.
• In his capacity as an attorney, Mike was the principal drafter of Connecticut’s 2015 new Tax Increment Financing statute and has assisted in the creation of more than a half dozen TIF districts in Connecticut.

Two New Members Join CMSC Board

In addition to recognizing our outgoing Board members, we also welcomed two new members: Susan Decina from the CT Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) and Matthew Kaufman from Hartford Healthcare. 

Susan Decina
Economic & Community Development Specialist, State of CT DECD

Susan has extensive project management experience with DECD programs including the Small Business Express Program, Urban Act, and the Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP). She also has significant experience working with partners in the area of Small Programs, including the CT Small Business Development Center, Connecticut Main Street Center, Middlesex County Revitalization Commission, and Business Industry Foundation of Middlesex County, Inc. Formerly, she worked with the Office of Brownfield Remediation & Development and was the Director of Planning for the Town of Portland. She also served as Assistant Planning Director for the City of Danbury.

Matthew Kaufman
Regional VP of Operations, Hartford HealthCare – Eastern Region

Matt is responsible for hospital operations at Backus Hospital, Windham Hospital and the Plainfield Emergency Department.  He was the Regional Incident Commander during the Covid-19 Pandemic, responsible for developing regional testing and vaccination centers including the mega vaccination site at Foxwoods Casino. He also facilitated the annual regional capital planning process. He was formerly the Director of Service Line Development and Director of Clinical Integration at Piedmont Hospital, Atlanta GA. 

CMSC is the expert resource for developing and sustaining vibrant downtowns that fuel our state’s prosperity. Our mission is to assess, educate, convene, and advocate to develop and grow our traditional downtowns, village centers, and urban mixed-use neighborhoods. We provide education and training, resources and technical assistance, and function as the statewide champion for downtowns and Main Streets of all sizes.

CMSC is supported by its Founding Partners, Eversource Energy and the Department of Economic & Community Development (DECD). CMSC is also supported by its Growth Partners, UIL Holdings and the State Historic Preservation Office. More information is available at www.ctmainstreet.org.