Community Assistance Programs
Sometimes communities need additional help to address downtown issues in a deeply focused way. When this happens, CMSC can provide technical advisor services in the areas of historic preservation and economic development; rural asset-based economic development; and integrating the built environment with natural resources.
Interested in how we can help your community? Contact us today.
Diversity on Main brings together Connecticut Main Street Center’s expertise as the state’s premier resource for developing and sustaining vibrant downtowns with the Black Business Alliance’s comprehensive resources for Black-owned businesses, including education, capacity building, and technical assistance, in order to tackle the problem of vacant storefronts. The aim of Diversity on Main is to advance equity while contributing to thriving and inclusive main streets by establishing opportunities for minority-owned businesses to occupy and own main street storefronts and properties.
The new Connecticut Main Street Center EmPOWER Main Street fund, launched with a $25,000 grant from United Illuminating, Connecticut Natural Gas and Southern Connecticut Gas, subsidiaries of Avangrid, Inc, provides grant support for main street projects that will spur economic development, small business occupancy, and community pride. Learn more.
This program is in partnership with the Northwest Hills Council of Governments (NHCOG). It’s purpose is to help strengthen the region’s town centers and main streets through an iterative four-year collaboration.
Connecticut Main Street Center is partnering with the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce to strengthen local small businesses by crafting a regional identity and marketing the area’s village centers. This project is supported by a USDA Rural Business Development Grant.
CMSC and GNACC are combining their expertise in supporting businesses, municipalities, and main streets to collaboratively develop a regional marketing strategy to bring in visitors, residents, and new businesses that each of the towns can benefit from, while also supporting the growth and success of the local small businesses.
