Inaugural Participants Set to Begin Main Street Accelerator Program to Boost Local Downtowns

Teams from six Connecticut communities were chosen for the inaugural class of Connecticut Main Street Center’s new Main Street Accelerator program.

Main Street Accelerator is an action-oriented leadership development program focused on helping communities better their downtown by implementing a specific project, such as launching a new initiative or addressing a challenge.

During the virtual, 6-month Accelerator program, participants will learn and practice the nationally proven Four Point Main Street Approach; sustainable and inclusive development practices; project management; and community engagement.

The teams and their projects represent a diverse array of Connecticut towns and cities:

·         East Side NRZ (Bridgeport)

Representatives from the NRZ and the City will create an accessible document that provides actionable solutions for businesses to revitalize their storefronts.

·         Georgetown Village Restoration, Inc. (Redding)

GVR team members will examine how to increase exposure and foot traffic in Georgetown to help support businesses and the community.

• Downtown Windsor

·         A local business owner and Windsor’s First Town Downtown director will reimagine the ground floor VFW ballroom into a beer hall-type facility.

·         Town of Haddam

Municipal economic development commissioners, the town’s selectwoman, and local business owners will work together to improve signage, mapping, and the overall visual appeal between the town’s two village centers. 

·         Norwich Community Development Corporation

Planners and local development organizations will collaborate on how to change the perception of downtown Norwich by enticing tourists through cooperative marketing and events with local groups.

·         Town of Thomaston

Municipal officials and downtown volunteers will work collaboratively to create a strong network of downtown businesses and begin revitalizing Downtown Thomaston’s historic and visual assets.

Communities with a defined project scope will have the opportunity to brainstorm various solutions, troubleshooting different scenarios and aspects of the initiative(s) to develop a plan that ensures success. 

Examples of problem-solving initiatives include programming vacant lot(s) or storefronts, historic or community preservation efforts, supporting small businesses, launching or improving a market or festival, creating or improving a public space, launching a sustainability initiative, increasing arts and culture programming, etc.

CMSC’s mission is to be the expert resource for developing and sustaining vibrant downtowns, which fuel our State’s prosperity.