CMSC’s Field Services Director, Carl Rosa recently visited member Thomaston to talk with town officials and downtown merchants about how they can take advantage of their current assets while being proactive and strategic in how they grow. 

Carl explained CMSC’s Four-Point Approach to revitalizing downtowns: economic vitality, design, organization and promotion, along with specific ways the town take to optimize their own Hall and Thomaston Opera House complex. 

Photo Credit: Kurt Moffett, Republican-American

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 Town of Wallingford is seeking an Economic Development Specialist to help them develop and implement the town’s marketing, business recruitment and retention programs.

This is a full-time position working closely with the Economic Development Commission, related town staff and departments for planning and coordinating of community development projects, assisting business applicants with local and State permitting processes and providing research for Town sponsored projects.

Applications are due by February 17, 2023. View the full job posting and find the employment application form on their website.

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 Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) announced the next round of their Equity Match Grant Program is now open. 

The program offers grants of up to $10,000 to CT women-owned businesses that have been in business for 2 or more years and have revenues between $25K and $2M. 

Since the program launched in late 2020, WBDC has distributed 167 grants totaling over $1.5M to CT women-owned businesses. 

Applications available in English & Spanish. The deadline to apply is February 28, 2023.
Learn more & apply

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 Town of Haddam is seeking proposals from qualified real estate developers for the redevelopment of the former Rossi Lumber Company property in the heart of Higganum. The town has acquired the property and received $1.5 million for environmental remediation.

This project is across the street from an exciting mill remediation and renovation project currently underway. 

View the full RFQ here. Reponses are due by 3:00 p.m. on March 1st, 2023.

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 Member Colorful Bridgeport partnered up with the City of Bridgeport to install a series of murals in their neighborhood that add to the sense of community by celebrating the full spectrum of the Downtown’s people, places, and spaces.

The extremely talented Gary Judkins of Pivot Language Media filmed each artist creating their mural. Follow along as they release the videos series throughout the month of January highlighting the Color It In mural projects and the artists who created them.

Watch Now

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 Executive Director, Michelle McCabe, spoke on behalf of downtowns during a recent press conference calling for more affordable housing hosted by Desegregate CT. 

“If people are spending all of their money on transportation and on housing, then that means that they have fewer resources to invest back in our communities and invest back in our main streets,” said Michelle McCabe, the Executive Director of the CT Main Street Center.

You can view news articles from this event below:

WTNH Channel 8: Statewide program hopes to increase affordable housing

Hartford Courant: Legislative proposal launched to create CT communities centered on public transit, increase affordable housing

Photo Credit – Steve Smith, Hartford Courant

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. 

Innovative scoring matrix to provide metrics on downtown successes,
offer customized recommendations

(Hartford, CT) – Connecticut Main Street Center (CMSC) is pleased to announce the launch of a new Annual Assessment tool for CMSC member communities. This metric-based scoring system will provide CMSC’s 80+ members across the state with a way to measure the success of their initiatives, allowing them to benchmark their downtown management efforts, in addition to offering customized recommendations and resources for strengthening key areas as needed.

“We expect the new Annual Assessment to be transformational for our members,” said Michelle McCabe, CMSC Executive Director. “The information gathered will be a powerful tool for our members to see what’s working, opportunities for improvement, and where to target their efforts. From CMSC’s perspective, it helps us pinpoint with more accuracy what resources and guidance our members need, so it’s really a win-win.”

The Assessment matrix was developed over several months and measures the two overarching approaches CMSC espouses for cultivating healthy downtowns: the Four Point Approach to Main Street Management and the Six Core Components of a Vibrant Main Street. The Four Point Approach – the how – is a nationally recognized model for managing a Main Street. The Six Core Components are the what – the foundational elements CMSC has identified as critical to a vibrant Main Street, such as lighting, public art and local businesses. CMSC’s new Assessment tool measures both, ensuring its members are taking a comprehensive approach to their downtowns and Main Streets.

“I give a lot of credit to my colleague, Kristen Lopez, our Education & Training Director, who was instrumental in creating the matrix, and to our former Senior Director of Main Street Services & Projects, Kimberley Parsons Whitaker, who provided a lot of input and experience from her years working with our members,” said Carl Rosa, CMSC Field Services Director. “Together we created something really special that’s going to help our members and their downtowns, and I’m really pleased with the experiences I’ve had so far testing it.”

CMSC piloted the Assessment tool in three communities, New Britain, Simsbury and Westville Village (New Haven), in December. “We loved working with Carl on the new Assessment Tool. It’s really great from our perspective because now we have concrete data to go back to our Board and the city and show them what’s working and what our impact is, and we can see how our numbers go up or down each year,” said Lizzy Donius, Executive Director of Westville Village Renaissance Alliance. “Carl came out and met with us and within a few days we had a comprehensive report with dozens of data points and helpful recommendations and resources for how we can improve.”

CMSC will undertake an Annual Assessment for all its members in good standing that would like one on a rolling basis over the course of the year.

You can find information about CMSC, its members, and the Annual Assessment tool on their website.

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Media Contact
Christine Schilke
Communications & Strategy Director
860-280.2356
christine@ctmainstreet.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 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. 

The Mansfield Downtown Partnership (a CMSC member community) is currently seeking resumes for the position of Event Coordinator. 

The Event Coordinator is responsible for planning, managing, and organizing a variety of events including the Celebrate Mansfield Festival, Trick or Treat in Downtown, Winter Welcome, John E. Jackman Tour de Mansfield, Summer Stroll, and Moonlight Movies.  Since most of these events are either in the evening or on weekends, the ideal candidate needs to have a flexible schedule. The Event Coordinator will also be responsible for some administrative duties.

Read the full job description or click here to apply.

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 Town of Old Saybrook Economic Development Commission is seeking proposals to provide marketing services in support of its activities and interests including, marketing strategy development and annual schedule, digital advertising, social media management, content creation, website improvements and branding of the downtown and shopping district.

Proposals must be received no later than February 27, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. 

Click here to view the RFP

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. 

(Hartford, CT) – Connecticut Main Street Center (CMSC) is devastated to learn of the tragic passing of Rep. Quentin “Q” Williams. 

Q was a longtime friend and supporter of CMSC, most recently as a collaborator and advocate through his leadership on the Main Street Working Group of the legislature. Due to his outstanding accomplishments, CMSC recently honored Q and his Working Group co-chairs with the 2022 Jack Shannahan Award for Public Service. Q was also an attendee and speaker at CMSC’s recent Spotlight on Main Street event in Downtown Middletown, as well as a past webinar presenter. In addition to his work championing Connecticut’s main streets, he provided critical support on many other important issues, including education, housing, and workforce development.

“Q was changing the world. His passion, dedication to service, and his keen intelligence were special and rare. Not only did we enjoy working with him on behalf of our downtowns, but we enjoyed working with Q, the person. His smile lit up the room. I know he was excited for session to begin and was full of incredible ideas to benefit all the residents of Connecticut. We will miss him greatly,” said Michelle McCabe, CMSC Executive Director.

CMSC extends its deepest condolences to Q’s family during this difficult time, and to his many friends and colleagues across the state.

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Media Contact
Christine Schilke
Communications & Strategy Director
860-280.2356
christine@ctmainstreet.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 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.