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Encouraging Best Practices

Awards of Excellence

Celebrating the Best of Main Street

People dedicated to vibrant downtowns – you’ll find them hard at work in communities across Connecticut. CMSC recognizes the exceptional accomplishments of individuals and communities who work to preserve and reinvigorate our historic main streets with our prestigious awards:

  • CMSC Founder’s Award, presented by Eversource: This award is presented in recognition of individuals and organizations who dedicate themselves to promoting an awareness of the necessity of a comprehensive management approach to the revitalization of Connecticut’s historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.
  • The Jack Shannahan Award for Public Service: This award recognizes public and private sector individuals and organizations that exemplify a high standard of leadership with a deep commitment to the success of Connecticut’s Main Streets.
  • The Quentin Williams Downtown Hero Award: This new award honors the legacy of state Rep. Quentin “Q” Williams. Q was a great friend of CMSC and a champion for all of Connecticut’s downtowns. This award honors those who embody his greatest strengths, including tireless advocacy, working collaboratively to achieve common goals, bringing a multitude of voices to the fore, and working to create downtowns that are inclusive and welcoming to all.
  • Awards of Excellence: These awards honor CMSC members – the people, communities and organizations – whose exceptional efforts are contributing to thriving downtowns in Connecticut.

Cover photo credit: Bswope Photo

View our 2023 Award Winners

Click the boxes below to learn more about our award winners.

CMSC Founder’s Award

Kimberley Parsons-Whitaker

CT Dept. of Economic and Community Development

Jack Shannahan Award for Public Service

Elizabeth Shapiro

CT Office of the Arts

Quentin Williams Downtown Hero Award

Sarah Nielsen

Simsbury Main Street Partnership

Award of Excellence

Town of Berlin

Award of Excellence

Norwich Community Development Corporation

Award of Excellence

Thomaston Economic Development Commission

With Thanks to our Awards Sponsors

Main Street Partners

Main Street Partner

Main Street Partner

Main Street Partner


Main Street Supporters

Main Street Supporter

Main Street Supporter

Main Street Supporter

Main Street Supporter

Main Street Supporter

Main Street Supporter

Main Street Supporter


© Connecticut Main Street Center 
P.O. Box 270, Hartford, CT 06141 | 860.280.2337