Success Stories

Connecticut Main Street Center established The Connecticut Light and Power Company Award in 2001 to recognize those organizations and individuals 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.  The award is named for its first recipient, the Connecticut Light and Power Company, which launched the State’s Main Street program in 1995.  CL&P still stands as the only private corporation in the country to solely sponsor and administer a statewide Main Street initiative.

2007– Martha A. Hunt

As a founding director and Treasurer of the Connecticut Main Street Center Board of Directors, Martha A. Hunt (Marty) has played a key role in the management approach and growth of Connecticut Main Street Center.  She has worked diligently to identify and recruit board members since the organization’s inception in 1999 and has promoted the concept that community development through downtown revitalization spurs economic development

In her role as President & CEO of CERC (Connecticut Economic Resource Center), she directed the company’s development, research and marketing for local, regional, state and utility economic development entities.  A nonprofit company funded by 10 of the state's utility and telecommunications companies in partnership with state government, Marty  has led CERC in the promotion of Connecticut as a competitive business location through numerous multi-year, multi-media marketing campaigns aimed at retaining and recruiting businesses.

Marty has been the recipient of the 1996 American Economic Development Council’s Leadership Award and received the CEDAS Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002. Commenting on her tenure with and contributions to CMSC, President & CEO John Simone said “Her dedication to our mission and the resources she has brought to our organization have been invaluable in establishing our reputation as the state’s leading resource for cities and towns seeking to comprehensively revitalize their “main street” districts.” 

Previous Winners of The Connecticut Light & Power Award for Outstanding Contributions to Main Street Revitalization

2006 – The Hartford Courant

2005 – Webster Bank
2003 – John W. (Jack) Shannahan
2002 – State of Connecticut Department of Economic & Community Development
2001 – The Connecticut Light & Power Company