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:
There are a number of approved uses for ARPA funding, which should already be making its way to communities. For downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts, there is the possibility that communities can allocate funding to support small businesses impacted by the pandemic, as well as to assist the tourism, travel and hospitality sectors (or other similarly impacted sectors).
The State of Connecticut is also receiving ARPA funds. You can view a slide show of Governor Lamont’s allocation plan which will be reviewed by the state legislature. Between ARPA funding and bond fund allocations there will be important programs for small business support and Transit Oriented Development.
We are interested in learning what projects communities are pursuing, especially if they pertain to downtowns and business support. Please let us know if you have any questions we can try to help get answered through the CCM Advisory Committee. Learn more about ARPA and how you can help.
Attendees of CMSC’sMay webinar featuring Donald J. Poland, PhD, AICP, got an in-depth look at why properties are unused, the importance of market alignment, and how to expand your toolbox with community visioning, master plans, zoning & code correction, parking strategy, and historic preservation to bring them back to life. View the recordingof this practical and insightful presentation that will have you seeing your downtown’s potential through fresh eyes.
This webinar will demonstrate how three communities - Bridgeport, Danbury, and West Hartford - undertook a collaborative participation process that engaged residents, business owners, and stakeholders from Plan visioning to implementation. This session is eligible for 1 CM Credit and features speakers:
Francisco Gomes, AICP, ASLA, FHI Studio
Todd Dumais, Town Planner, Town of West Hartford
Zainab Kazmi, FHI Studio
CCM Members Please Note: This webinar includes a special opportunity for you to continue the conversation with our speakers.Click Here for more details. Space is limited.
Angela Wong Wins 2021 CT Entrepreneur Award for Economic Development
Congratulations to Angela Wong, Executive Director of CityCenter Danbury, a CMSC member, for being named a 2021 CT Entrepreneur Winner in the Economic Development category. Ms. Wong tied for the award with fellow Main Street supporter Lindy Lee Gold from DECD.
CityCenter Danbury aims to revitalize the Main Street district by making downtown an economic, social, and cultural hub through initiatives that drive lasting changes for the community. Ms. Wong worked in partnership with the City of Danbury and local businesses over the year to drive collaboration and promote opportunities for economic viability by disseminating grant information, expediting permit processes, and navigating bureaucratic challenges. During the pandemic, CityCenter also developed a marketing campaign called “Downtown Strong” bringing attention to their diverse array of downtown businesses through increased social media presence and a series of short promotional videos. In 2020, Ms. Wong also prioritized greater outreach to new and immigrant-owned small businesses to help them navigate financial and organizational difficulties.Learn more about Angela’s on-the-ground efforts to improve downtown Danbury’s economic vitality.
CMSC Blog: Every Downtown Can Benefit From Affordable Housing
Communities do best when people have housing stability – quality of life increases and downtown businesses benefit from increased density and greater activity. Learn more about the benefits of affordable housing and how you can get started in our latest blog from Kristin Anderson, The Community Builders.
From the Ground Up: CCAPA Comprehensive 4 Part Housing Forum - May 14 through June 11
The Connecticut Chapter of the American Planning Association (CCAPA) will be hosting educational forums for planners, policymakers, and stakeholders about the issues and data of affordable housing, desegregation, fair housing, and planning for conservation-minded, attainable and equitable housing policy in CT towns and cities. Numerous speakers representing this cross-section of planning will bring data, policy innovation, case examples, history and Connecticut's natural resources to the conversation. Sessions will take place every Friday through June 11th (with a break on May 28th).
The first statewide LGBTQ+ Survey in Connecticut just launched. The survey is sponsored by the Connecticut LGBTQ+ Health and Human Services Network and the Connecticut Department of Public Health and is being administered by The Consultation Center at Yale.
Survey responses must be submitted by the end of May. Participants have a chance to win 1 of 100 $25 dollar gift certificates. Click here to take the survey.
For more information and survey updates, follow @ctlgbtqsurvey on Facebook and Instagram.
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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