Our mission is to be the catalyst that ignites Connecticut's Main Streets as the cornerstone of thriving communities.
Join us as we celebrate our Downtowns & Main Streets
All over Connecticut towns and cities are realizing the vital importance our downtowns and village centers play in bringing people together, attracting talent and spurring businesses. We hope you'll join us in celebrating our Awards of Excellence winners who are transforming their downtowns through catalytic investment in their main streets.
In 2016, Connecticut Main Street Center was one of five main street programs across the nation to be selected by NMSC and Project for Public Spaces (PPS) for a two-day training aimed at helping Main Street communities revitalize their downtowns using placemaking.
NMSC and ioby are now building on this training by offering matching funds, training, and one-on-one fundraising coaching to communities in those five pilot states who are ready to implement placemaking projects, including New London Main Street.
CMSC Welcomes 2 New Board Members
CMSC is pleased to introduce its two newest Board Members:
Randal Davis is Special Assistant to the Commissioner at the CT Department of Transportation. Randal is part of the large transit team responsible for CTfastrak, and one of DOT's lead corporate, government and community liaisons. He also works with the I-84 Hartford Reconstruction team for the public outreach phase of the project.
Glendowlyn L.H. Thames is the Executive Director for CTNext, managing their full array of strategic economic development programs focused on fostering entrepreneurship, startup and growth-stage businesses while cultivating a robust innovation ecosystem on behalf of the State of Connecticut.
Upper Albany Main Street Celebrates Retirement of UHart's Dr. Harrison
Upper Albany Main Street (UAMS) recently honored Dr. Walter Harrison's retirement as President of the University of Hartford. UAMS Board Members thanked him for his contributions in sustaining the agency's mission and vision, while many others celebrated his leadership and involvement in several institutions throughout greater Hartford.
CMSC's John Simone and Kimberly Parsons-Whitaker attended the event, which was highlighted by Dr. Harrison's acceptance of the UAMS Distinguished Service Award and a CT State Assembly Proclamation.
In tribute to their wonderful partnership, CMSC awarded Upper Albany Main Street & UHart the 2016 Founder's Award presented by Eversource Energy at last year's Awards Gala.
▪ CMSC Hosting Awards of Excellence Celebration -
Join us for our 2017 CT Main Street Awards of Excellence on May 18th. The celebration of our vibrant main street takes place in the atrium of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. Click here for more info and to register.
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CMSC Webinar Wednesday! series info - Watch your email for information on our upcoming webinar,
Telling Your Main Street Story, presented by CMSC Communications Director Christine Schilke.
CMSC's popular April webinar,
Windsor Locks goes TIF, featuring Michael Andreana and Patrick McMahon is now available on CMSC's website.
Click here to listen to the recording and for additional handouts and information.
Spotlight on Community Foundations
Community Foundations throughout Connecticut connect nonprofit organizations with resources they need to grow and thrive. Many of these community foundations have extensive nonprofit support programs, as well as free workshops, technical assistance grants, and much more.
CMSC encourages local community organizations to get to know their Community Foundation.
This month we profile the
Community Foundation for Greater New Haven.
As the region's largest grantmaker, the Community Foundation has many grantmaking programs that support nonprofits, in addition to workshops, events, a resource center and a datatase of nonprofits.
