Downtown Update
February 2022
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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:
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CMSC's 2022 Advocacy Priorities Announced
CMSC supports Connecticut’s Main Streets by advocating for specific legislative changes and general policies that enhance our downtowns. Our annual list of priorities serves as a resource for state and local leaders to support robust downtowns. Organized around the six key tenets of a healthy downtown, it outlines several initiatives that will benefit CT’s Main Streets including resources to support small businesses and address third-party delivery fees; providing communities with tools to incentivize transit-oriented development; and supporting a diversity of people, incomes and uses in our downtowns.
Upcoming Webinar Food for Thought: What to Consider When Launching Food Halls & Public Markets

Join us Tuesday, February 22nd for our next informative event

While common around the globe and over the centuries, food halls and public markets are just getting started in Connecticut. Learn about the distinction between the two and their impact on the local economy and community from our featured speakers.
 
  • Chelsea Mouta, Director of Operations, will talk about Parkville Market, Connecticut’s first food hall in Hartford’s Parkville neighborhood.
  • Jennifer Rodriguez, AICP, Windsor Locks Director of Planning & Development, will discuss the steps they’re taking to open the town’s first public market.


You can also view our recent 4-part series on the Four Point Approach to Main Street management. Here, you’ll find the webinar recordings and related resources for all 4 Points – Economic Vitality, Design, Promotion and Organization – in one convenient place. Many thanks to our series sponsor, Liberty Bank!
Main Spotlight: What Does Treasury's ARPA Final Rule Mean for Main Streets?
On January 6, the Treasury Department released the Final Rule governing the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The ARPA Final Rule provides substantial clarity on aspects of the earlier guidance and some key improvements that have the potential to benefit commercial corridors and small businesses. The Final Rule also confirms and extends other uses of these funds important to Main Street: to support non-profits negatively impacted by the pandemic; to create affordable housing; and to increase broadband connectivity.
 
With the roll-out of the Final Rule, communities are anticipated to begin committing ARPA funds at a more rapid pace. Main Street programs and other supporters of business district revitalization may need a refresher on what this funding can mean for small businesses and Main Street organizations, understand what the Final Rule included, and consider the best approach to accessing this funding for Main Street needs. Learn more about the ARPA Final Rule & its eligible uses in this Main Street Spotlight article. 
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CMSC Blog: Welcome to Downtown!
In our latest blog, CMSC’s new Field Services Director, Carl Rosa, talks about how his firsthand experience as a Main Street Director is translating to his new role. With a mantra of “Only Solutions!” he’s looking forward to meeting with downtown and municipal leaders to hear about their hopes and concerns. 
Longtime Friends, Advocates of Downtown Retire
CMSC Bids Farewell to Marty Connor & Gerry Amodio
Torrington's Marty Connor Retires

For more than 30 years, Marty Connor guided local communities through the process of improving their homes and businesses, developing new regulations and helping larger organizations create new housing, find uses for old industrial spaces and encourage responsible growth.
 
For the last 22 of those years, Marty has been the city planner in Torrington, a CMSC member community, as well as town planner in Goshen, a regional CMSC member. Before that, he worked in Litchfield’s Land Use Department for six years. As of late January, Marty is retired from Torrington and will remain in Goshen part-time, but his free time will be spent doing the things he loves — primarily, spending time with his three grandsons.
 
Mayor Elinor Carbone thanked Marty for his years of hard work and dedication to the city, saying Marty ushered Torrington into a new era of growth and development. She presented Marty with a citation from the state legislature, signed by state Reps. Jay Case, R-Winsted, Michelle Cook, D-Torrington, Maria Horn, D-Salisbury, and Sen. Craig Miner, R-Litchfield, all of whom represent the towns Marty has served.
 
Marty’s assistant land use officer, Jeremy Leifert, who has been with the city for more than two years, is taking over the job as city planner.

Read the full article on Marty's work & future plans. PC Credit: Emily M. Olson, CT Hearst Media
New Britain's Gerry Amodio Stepping Down

Gerry Amodio, longtime Executive Director of the New Britain Downtown District, a CMSC member community, is stepping down from his role at the end of February. During his time at the helm, Gerry served on several boards and commissions, and worked closely with the City and developers to reinvigorate the downtown.

Reflecting on the last 12 years, Gerry believes there were three key aspects of the Downtown District’s success: a group of people that saw a vision for what New Britain could be; the city’s decision to work with Jasko Development, which eventually attracted other developers to work with the city; and the opening of the CTFastrak station, which opened the door for funding related to transit-oriented development and provided the resources that allowed the city to invest in the downtown area and the city. Gerry also attributed much of the downtown’s success to Mayor Erin Stewart.

Gerry expects the downtown to experience continued growth within three to five years, with another 500 to 700 people living in the downtown area and up to 2,000 additional people working in the city. But he’s leaving it to his successor to steer the next cycle of growth within the area. While he’s proud of what’s he’s accomplished, he’s looking forward to spending more time with his family.

Read about Gerry’s many successes in New Britain's downtown. Photo Courtesy of the New Britain Downtown District
Join us in wishing Marty & Gerry the best of luck in their new endeavors!
Eversource’s ConnectedSolutions Program Offers EV Incentives, Rebates
Customers in Connecticut now have access to rebates and incentives for purchasing and installing an approved electric vehicle (EV) charger for their home, business, or community.
 
Through Eversource’s ConnectedSolutions program, residential customers will be able to apply for rebates up to $1,000 for EV Smart Chargers at their home. Business customers also have access to solutions for multifamily property owners, fleet electrification and installing an EV Charger in the workplace. There also are programs for state and town officials.
 
Want to look into EV charger rebates for yourself? You can go to Eversource.com in Connecticut and select EV Charging from the Save Money & Energy menu. Learn more
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.
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We encourage you to reach out to them directly by clicking their links.
Connecticut Main Street Center www.ctmainstreet.org 860.280.2337