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| Our mission is to be the catalyst that ignites Connecticut's Main Streets as the cornerstone of thriving communities. |
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With a successful 2016 behind us, we anticipate a busy and prosperous 2017 and look forward to working with all of you as we collaborate to make Connecticut's Main Streets the cornerstone of thriving communities.
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Here is a summary of the many upcoming events & activities around our network:
- CMSC Webinar Wednesdays: Introduction to the Main Street Approach - There is still time to register!
Join host Kimberley Parsons-Whitaker TOMORROW, January 18th as she introduces the Connecticut Main Street Program and the Main Street Approach to Downtown Revitalization. Register here for January's session and register early for our next webinar on February 18th: Developing Your Main Street Action Plan.
- January iForum: Zoning: How Local Decisions Shape Our Communities' Future-The Partnership for Strong Communities and the CT
Chapter of the American Planning Association are hosting Zoning: How Local Decisions Shape Our Communities' Future on Monday, January 30th. The forum will discuss the potential impact of a town's zoning on the community's economic development and quality of life: how much space will be devoted to shopping, single-family homes, multifamily homes, recreation, industry, offices, and schools? Click here for more information and here to register for this event.
- CT Data Academy: Data 101 - Join us on February 8th
for the inaugural Data 101 session. This is the CTData Academy's introductory session designed to expand data literacy. Participants come away with a greater understanding of data collection and analysis and a more critical eye towards data encountered in everyday life. Click here for more details and to register for this event.
- Sustainable CT Holds Regional Forums - Sustainable CT is hosting several regional forums in January to learn what YOUR vision for sustainable towns and cities in Connecticut is. The forums are free, open to all, and organized by the Institute for Sustainable Energy at Eastern Connecticut State University, in partnership with Connecticut's nine councils of governments. Register for one or more of the forums here. You can also view a short video about Sustainable CT.
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2017 Legislative Session Underway
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The Connecticut General Assembly began the new session began on January 4th. CMSC is working with several partners to urge legislators to save Community Investment Act funds and has provided success stories to the coalition in support of these efforts. We will continue to pursue this and the doubling the cap on Historic Tax Credits throughout the session.
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CMSC Board Members Step Up!
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The end of the calendar year saw several CMSC Board members step up to the plate to ensure that CT Main Street Center programs are supported. In addition to 100% board participation in personal giving, our board is responsible for the following investments in CT Main Street Center programs for 2016-2017:
- UIL Holdings Corp: 2017 Awards Leadership Sponsor
- Webster Bank Foundation: Main Street Forums for the 21st Century, 2017 Awards Celebration, Awards of Excellence sponsor
- NewAlliance Foundation: Main Street Forums for the 21st Century
- Express Strategies: 2017 Awards Celebration, Main Street Sponsor
- Pullman & Comley, LLC: CEDAS/CT Main Street Networking Event in Downtown Bridgeport (April 27, 2017); Main Street Workshops (Spring 2017)
We thank our directors for volunteering to serve on the Connecticut Main Street Board. We know that this is an "add on" to the many other things they do, including career, family, other volunteer opportunities and social life. We appreciate that our directors are willing to serve and we valued their time and their input.
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▪ Several CMSC Member Communities receive CCAPA Awards
- Congratulations to Farmington, Hartford and Newtown (all Main Street communities) for their 2016 CCAPA Awards! Read about all of the winners in CCAPA's winter magazine.
▪ BikeWalkCT Seeks Partner Communities -
Bike Walk Connecticut
is currently seeking
applications
for Discover CT, its annual program of bicycle tours in bicycle-friendly communities throughout Connecticut. The Discover CT Ride series introduces more people to the pleasures of cycling by hosting organized events that highlight safe, scenic, interesting, historical, cultural, and bike-enjoyable routes. These rides allow cyclists to discover new communities and rediscover their own neighborhoods, representing a day of exploration, fun, and cycling camaraderie. Please click here for more information.
Applications are due February 3.
▪ Smart Growth America Announces Technical Assistance Program for Local Communities
- Smart Growth America has announced a technical assistance program for local communities. The Complete Streets Consortium Series provides assistance to a group of three communities in implementing complete streets policies. The program delivers three workshops delivered by nationally-recognized expert instructors to the chosen communities. The three communities must apply for the assistance jointly. If your community is interested in implementing
Complete Streets but needs help making it happen, consider partnering with two other communities for this free opportunity. Applications are due on
February 2, 2017
. More information can be found
here
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Spotlight on 2016 Awards of Excellence
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2016 Founders Award
, presented by Eversource
to Upper Albany Main Street and University of Hartford
CMSC presents the Founder's Award 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.
Since June 2000, Upper Albany Main Street and the University of Hartford have been partners in creating an environment where the university and its neighboring community can benefit from one another - a partnership that has brought real world learning and service to the community, while engaging the neighborhood with an outstanding educational institution right in its own backyard.
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