Windsor’s historic downtown is brimming with possibility. Conveniently situated between Hartford, CT and Springfield, MA, residents enjoy easy access to public transportation and commuter rails. Many development projects are underway in Windsor, with entertainment venues and residential buildings bringing new life to the center. A visit to Windsor’s downtown might entail a walk on the Windsor Center River Trail, a paved 1 mile loop trail connecting downtown and the historic district alongside the Connecticut River; experiencing the growing arts scene with a visit to Windsor Arts Center; or attending one of Windsor’s many community events on the green.

Our Spotlight on Main Street event introduced downtown professionals, economic development officials, and municipal leaders from across the state to this historic, walkable district. This event included:

• Networking & refreshments at the Windsor Art Center
• Guided Walking Tour along Main Street
• Downtown Reception at Union Street Tavern

Windsor Federal opened its doors in 1936, founded out of the Great Depression with a mission of neighbors helping neighbors, providing community members with a safe place to save money, finance homeownership, and invest in the future. Today, they have eight offices and over $750 million in assets, and are the only Mutually Chartered Institution headquartered in Hartford County.
 
At Windsor Federal “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” is much more than a tagline for us; it speaks to our culture, and values, as an organization. We’re here for you – our customers, neighbors, and communities. 

CEDAS, the Connecticut Economic Development Association, is a not-for-profit organization committed to advancing the practice of economic development within the state of Connecticut. CEDAS is the premiere association for economic development professionals, providing a forum for the economic development community and sponsoring educational programs and seminars to benefit those in the field. 

The Windsor Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting businesses and the community. The Chamber’s mission is to provide voice for the Business Community on issues of public policy; to help businesses to work together for their mutual benefit and to advocate initiatives that enhance the town’s (region) economic vitality and quality of life.

FHI Studio integrates expertise in a wide array of services and technical disciplines. Across planning, engagement, mobility, and design, we look at the whole to understand the parts of every project. From internal brainstorm sessions to client, stakeholder, and public workshops, we bring a diversity of knowledge and the creativity to get things done.

Our four studios work together to ensure comprehensive and thoughtful solutions, demonstrating our commitment to continual learning and collaboration.

• Visit their website

At Loomis Chaffee, our mission is to inspire in students a commitment to the best self and the common good.

Through rigorous academic programs, myriad opportunities to put learning into practice, championship-level athletics, expansive performing and visual arts programs, and all the distinct benefits of a top-ranked boarding school, we empower students to reach their goals and make a real and immediate difference in the world.

• Visit their website

Our mission is to invite people to connect with Windsor’s evolving history by preserving, interpreting, and sharing our community’s artifacts and stories.

• Visit their website

Fuss & O’Neill is a nearly 100-year-old engineering and science-based firm with offices in each New England state, and New York.

We specialize in planning, design, and construction work in the transportation, water, environmental, buildings, and energy market sectors. We thrive at the intersection of industry and community issues such as economic development, livable communities, complete streets, Environmental Justice, and climate change while offering traditional public and private services. We count more than a dozen Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies as part of our extensive list of clients.

• Visit their website
• View their catalogue

Torrington’s Main Street, touting one of the country’s largest collections of Art Deco Buildings, is in the heart of the city’s Cultural District. The wide sidewalks, beautiful landscaping and public art displayed throughout the area make it a great place to take a stroll. Visitors can enhance their experience by visiting one (or more) of the vibrant restaurants, galleries, shops and museums that line this quaint New England street. Torrington Main Street is perfect if you’re looking to take in a theatre performance, create a memory with your grandchildren or planning a fun night out.

Mayor Elinor Carbone and Rista Malanca, AICP, Director of Economic Development, discuss the proactive steps the city took to enable the city’s many successes.

Our Spotlight on Main Street event, co-sponsored by CEDAS, introduced downtown professionals, economic development officials, and municipal leaders from across the state to this historic, walkable district. This event included:

• Networking & refreshments at Warner Theater
• Presentation by Torrington officials
• Guided Walking Tour along Main Street
• Downtown Reception at Sawyer’s Restaurant

The banner photo was provided courtesy of Main Street Torrington and features Dennis Polisky & Maestro’s Men during their annual Oktoberfest event. 

• Save the date for their upcoming Strawberry Festival on June 3rd.

Hartford HealthCare is creating a better future for healthcare in Connecticut and beyond. We are a community of caregivers engaged in developing a coordinated, consistently high standard of care, using research and education as part of care delivery. We create and engage in meaningful alliances to enhance access to services and invest in technology and training to develop new pathways to improve the timeliness, effectiveness and accuracy of our services.

CEDAS, the Connecticut Economic Development Association, is a not-for-profit organization committed to advancing the practice of economic development within the state of Connecticut. The Association encourages communication among its members by providing a forum for discussion and information exchange.

• Visit their website

Torrington Savings Bank’s steady, strong banking practices have made them a trusted and reliable bank since 1868. Conservatively guided and strongly capitalized, they are committed to their mutuality and to providing quality products and services to meet the financial needs of the individuals, families, and businesses in their communities.

• Visit their website

Brooks, Todd & McNeil works hard to make your insurance decisions effortless and trustworthy. You can rely on the solutions they offer and count on their friendly, local service. They are proud of their long agency history providing families, non-profit organizations and commercial businesses in CT with insurance. They have been serving Connecticut since 1839.

• Visit their website
• View the flyer

Commercial Sewing has specialized in the marine and power sports markets with a focus on producing canvas products for Original Equipment Manufacturers, Distributors, and Dealers.

• Visit their website
• View their flyer

Good Earth Advisors is a woman-owned and operated consulting firm specializing in community planning, development services and public engagement. Inspired by the prospect of positive change, we see opportunity in each challenge—using planning as a pathway to progress.

• Visit their website

Conveniently located in Torrington since 1973, you can contact us with all your real estate, business, and estate planning needs. From our downtown Torrington location we are able to serve the needs of clients throughout Litchfield County. 

• Visit their website

O&G Industries, Inc. is a leading provider of construction services and products in the Northeast.

Our portfolio encompasses numerous market segments, with projects that span in size and scope. Our clients include some of the most well-respected brands in the region and throughout the world.

• Visit their website

32 Years and counting in the lighting and antique business.  We have the largest selection of restored antique lighting, chandeliers, wall sconces, and lamps in the area. Our master restorer, Mr. Rit, does  museum quality restorations and has done restorations for the White House, the Torrington Historical Society  as well as numerous other venues.

• Visit their website
• View their business card

The Torrington Development Corporation will plan, lead, direct and coordinate comprehensive efforts to improve the City’s economic base.  The purchase, reclamation and development of property and the procurement and administration of funding and/or loans will be carefully managed to support a vibrant community.

• Learn more about TDC

Torrington Downtown Partners was formed in September 2010 by a group of investors who recognized an historic opportunity to shape the revitalization of downtown Torrington, Connecticut.  Their goal is two-fold: To break the cycle of absentee ownership and vacant storefronts in the heart of downtown, and to involve the community at-large in making decisions about and being a part in the turnaround and rehabilitation of a key part of the city.

• Visit their website

White Flower Farm is a family-owned nursery based in Northwest Connecticut. Since 1950, we’ve been growing a wide range of ornamental plant varieties, and delivering them to gardeners all over the country. Our mission is to help gardeners succeed by supplying top quality plant material, comprehensive cultural information, and superior customer service. Whether you are an experienced horticulturalist on the lookout for unusual cultivars, or a newcomer to gardening, we’re here to help.

• Visit their website
• Visit their store

In June 2013, the Town of Newtown selected a team organized by Connecticut Main Street Center (CMSC) to coordinate an economic recovery consultancy for Sandy Hook Village. CMSC collaborated with Arnett Muldrow & Associates of Greenville, SC, and with NetMark Associates of Canton, CT to work closely with the Town and the Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity (S.H.O.P.) to examine the market for Sandy Hook Village for shopping, dining and gathering, to engage more people to come to Sandy Hook, and to craft a marketing and promotion toolkit for the Village to better share its assets with residents, visitors, and investors.

The goal of this work was to assist Sandy Hook Village business and property owners with short-term steps to market the community alongside long-term initiatives to foster continued economic activity and investment in Sandy Hook Village. The branding and marketing strategy that resulted serves as a guide for helping the Village’s businesses market to their existing and expanded customer base, helping officials of the Town of Newtown and S.H.O.P. recruit additional investment to the community, and guiding decisions to continue to drive customer traffic to the village.

A Compassionate, Community-led Approach

The consultancy process began with a series of meetings in the community. CMSC worked with the consulting team and a steering committee comprised of Town Staff, Economic Development Commissioners, and S.H.O.P. representatives to discuss the scope of the project, directing the project from start to finish. The team also met with shopkeepers, stakeholders, School District and Town officials, and others to gather input and feedback. 

Through community input and market analysis, Connecticut Main Street team presented Sandy Hook with a market report and corresponding marketing and branding campaign along with other steps to implement the new branding campaign.

The resulting branding campaign is still in use by Sandy Hook Village. S.H.O.P. also joined the CMSC member network and remains an active member ten years later.

Interested in learning how we can help your community discover its unique voice?

Check out these helpful videos or learn more about becoming a CMSC member.