Downtown Update

April 2022

Upcoming Events

See what's happening this month.

In the News

CMSC Member Communities

News You Can Use

Senate passes bill aimed at providing small businesses free e-commerce, other online education courses
More CT youth are starting/owning their own business. Here's why and how.

Our Main Streets need us now more than ever! Please consider making a donation today. Donate any amount to help us continue our vital work with over 80 CT communities.

There are many other ways to help us make a difference in CT's communities:

Become a Corporate Investor - Demonstrate your company's support of CMSC while enjoying a year of benefits & hi-profile visibility.
Become a Member Community - Receive customized technical assistance & professional guidance.
Join our Professional Affiliate Network - Connect your expertise with our Main Street communities.
Give back to your community - Find your local Main Street program & opportunities to volunteer.
Show your Main Street pride - Share your love for our downtowns by saying what #MainStMeans to you!

With thanks to our Corporate Investors:

CMSC Welcomes New Members

Join us in welcoming the Naugatuck Economic Development Corporation and the New London Cultural District to our member network of over 80 communities statewide.

The Naugatuck Economic Development Corporation (NEDC) is a public/private partnership focused on all aspects of economic development in Naugatuck, including business retention and attraction, maintaining a strong manufacturing base, and development of a vibrant downtown.

The City of New London partnered with the Southeastern Connecticut Cultural Coalition to form the New London Cultural District. The District encompasses the downtown’s historic district and includes Howard, Bank and State streets. Legislative Statute enacted in 2019 enables municipalities to establish a Cultural District.

CT Communities Challenge Grants Awarded

The State of Connecticut recently awarded $45 million to twelve cities and towns through the Connecticut Communities Challenge Grant Program, administered by the Department of Economic and Community Development. CMSC was asked by DECD to provide input during the spring 2022 review and selection process.

The grant program encourages efforts to enhance Main Streets, fueling the state’s prosperity by leveraging approximately $74 million in non-state and private dollars. “The communities selected to receive these grants put together outstanding proposals that will position their Main Streets to be economically and socially vibrant, inclusive, and accessible to the entire community,” said Kimberley Parsons-Whitaker, Interim CEO of CMSC.

See the list of grant recipients

New Legislation Extends Outdoor Dining Into 2023

Governor Lamont recently signed legislation (House Bill 5271) allowing the relaxed rules on outdoor dining at restaurants to continue until April 30, 2023. The relaxed dining rules were originally established in response to the initial outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bill was supported by the Connecticut Restaurant Association (CRA), as well as the Connecticut Council of Small Towns (COST) and the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM). Scott Dolch, CRA president and CEO, thanked the Governor and General Assembly for passing the bill on a bipartisan basis, noting especially the chairs and ranking members of the Planning and Development Committee. Connecticut restaurants make up ten percent of the state’s economy and employ thousands of state residents. Read the press release.

Still Time to Register for Light + Justice Webinar

Join us tomorrow for our webinar, Light + Justice: How Main Street Lighting Reflects What – and Who – You Value.

In this surprising and thought-provoking webinar, lighting designers Edward Bartholomew and Mark Loeffler will explore the intersection of lighting with social and environmental justice, and its inequitable, adverse impact on marginalized communities and human health. As many downtowns are looking to use their ARPA funds on streetscapes, this is an excellent opportunity to think about light in a holistic way that brings a community together. With thanks to our webinar sponsor Penn Globe, “Manufacturing Lighting for the Greater Good”

Public Art Opportunities in Downtown Bridgeport

The City of Bridgeport and the Bridgeport Downtown Special Services District (DSSD) are calling artists to Downtown Bridgeport. Already known as “Colorful Bridgeport,” you can make it more so by sharing your skill, imagination, and inspiration to help transform the city’s center into an expression of art itself.

Thanks to private partners, they have twelve sites ready to go and are open to all ideas, formats and media. Download the complete Call for Artists from their website, or request a printed copy by contacting the offices of the DSSD: 938 Broad Street, Bridgeport, Connecticut 06604; by phone at (203) 908-3622 or send an email here.

Eversource & United Illuminating To Host Webinars on CT's EV Charging Program

With a shared goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing cleaner transportation across the state, Eversource and United Illuminating are collaborating with the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to roll out a statewide electric vehicle charging station installation program.

CT DEEP is aiming to have 125,000 to 150,000 electric vehicles on state roads by 2025, which will require a robust network of charging stations. The program is designed to make ‘range anxiety’ a thing of the past, and features incentives for conveniently locating charging stations – in single-family homes, corporate offices, public parking locations, multifamily buildings, new construction commercial sites and more.

To help customers understand the statewide Electric Vehicle Charging Program Eversource is holding a series of webinars throughout the year. Click here to see the complete calendar and to register for an upcoming webinar.

Find a webinar

Next Round of T-Mobile Hometown

Grant Program Open

Calling small towns with populations fewer than 50,000!

The next round of the T-Mobile Hometown Grant program is open now through June 30, 2022. Brought to you in partnership with Main Street America and Smart Growth America, the T-Mobile Hometown Grant program provides grants of up to $50,000 to help build stronger, more prosperous small towns and rural communities.

Towns with 50,000 people or less can apply for a grant of up to $50K to fund projects to build, rebuild, or refresh community spaces that help foster local connections in your community. Examples include implementing tech upgrades at your library, refreshing a local park, or breaking ground on a new place where neighbors can connect.

Submit your application for the T-Mobile Hometown Grant program by June 30, 2022.

Learn more & apply

Sponsorship is key to CMSC's ability to provide services to our members, and education & technical assistance to CT's downtowns. We proudly thank our many generous sponsors below.