Encouraging the Best Practices

Encouraging the best practices.

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, the Founder’s Award and the Jack Shannahan Prize for Public Service.

Founder’s Award

Recognizing organizations and individuals for their unparalleled commitment to Main Street.

Connecticut Main Street Center established the Founder’s Award, presented by Eversource (formerly the Connecticut Light & Power Company Award) in 2001 to recognize organizations and individuals who dedicate themselves to promoting an awareness of the necessity of a comprehensive management approach to the revitalization of Connecticut’s Main Streets.

The award is named for its first recipient, The Connecticut Light & Power Company (now Eversource), which launched the State’s Main Street program in 1995. CL&P still stands as the only private corporation in the country to solely sponsor and administer a statewide Main Street initiative.

2022 Founder’s Award Recipient

Lyle Wray

This year the award is presented to Lyle Wray…Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut sem ipsum, varius eget ultricies at, pulvinar et neque. Sed ante dui, laoreet vitae mattis nec, volutpat quis purus. Ut condimentum nunc vel malesuada rhoncus. Nam tincidunt nunc at massa ultricies, a commodo quam tristique. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut blandit justo vitae convallis imperdiet.

See Past founder’s award winners

Jack Shannahan Prize for Public Service

Honoring public servants who exemplify a deep commitment to Main Street.

Established in honor of John (“Jack”) W. Shannahan, former State Historic Preservation Officer and Director of the Connecticut Historical Commission, and the first Chair of the Connecticut Main Street Center, this prestigious award recognizes individuals from the public sector who demonstrate an exemplary standard of leadership with a deep commitment to history and Main Street revitalization.

This award is not given on an annual or competitive basis. Rather, CMSC bestows the honor in recognition of extraordinary efforts by Connecticut’s public servants to preserve our historic town centers.

2022 Jack Shannahan Prize for Public Service Recipient

Main Street Working Group of the Legislature

This year the award is presented to the Main Street Working Group…Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut sem ipsum, varius eget ultricies at, pulvinar et neque. Sed ante dui, laoreet vitae mattis nec, volutpat quis purus. Ut condimentum nunc vel malesuada rhoncus. Nam tincidunt nunc at massa ultricies, a commodo quam tristique. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut blandit justo vitae convallis imperdiet.

Awards of Excellence

Celebrating Connecticut communities, individuals & organizations for their outstanding contributions to Main Street.

Individuals and organizations around the state work tirelessly to revitalize their downtowns and create places that attract residents, visitors, businesses and more. Our Awards of Excellence was created to celebrate their enormously effective and impactful work.

For nearly 20 years, CMSC annually selected best practices and noteworthy projects from throughout the state to be recognized for their impact on Connecticut’s downtowns and Main Streets. These awards were discontinued during the Covid pandemic, but the work and impact of our winners remains. Click the link below to view past award winners.

See Past award winners

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