Member Services
Services Provided to Members
Onsite Visit
Connecticut Main Street Center staff will spend a half-day with you
in your district to make initial observations of the physical conditions,
business mix and how the district is managed. We will use these
observations to determine with you the best course of action in
moving forward.
Guidance & Mentoring
Connecticut Main Street Center will provide you with the following
guides:
- Development of a Steering Committee
- Organizational Development
- Nonprofit board
- Incorporation, IRS procedures, etc.
- Roles & Responsibilities of Public and Private Sectors
Once a Steering Committee has been developed CMSC may recommend a “Main Street Town Meeting” in order to present information to the community and facilitate discussion. An additional resource is the National Main Street Center website (www.mainstreet.org) which contains a wealth of information and ideas.
Education & Training
Connecticut Main Street Center uses the Main Street Four Point ApproachÔ to
downtown revitalization, used successfully for over 25 years by the
National Main Street Center. Connecticut Main Street Center members
receive discounted registration to our Downtown Revitalization
Institute workshops which provide training in these four
aspects of downtown revitalization: Organization, Design, Promotion
and Economic Restructuring. We will also provide the guide “Main
Street Committee Basics” which will assist you in developing
committees to facilitate the Main Street Four Point Approach.
Implementation
Connecticut Main Street Center will help you determine the current
conditions of your commercial district so that you may begin to
execute projects and activities that will help make your downtown
clean, safe, and friendly. We will provide you with the following:
- A template for Baseline Data Collection (physical inventory and uses, event inventory, etc.)
- Recommended Start-Up Projects for Main Street Committees
Designation
Member communities that have a solid record of private and public collaboration,
a comprehensive approach to project planning and implementation, and
are working toward an appropriate budget and staffing may move toward
Designated Connecticut Main Street Community status. CMSC staff will
work with you to determine your readiness to advance to this level.
“Since taking office, I have worked closely with citizens, property and business owners and our Town Commissions to develop strategies that will ensure that we improve and continue to value our historic town center. Connecticut Main Street Center’s workshops have proven to be invaluable by providing us with great knowledge and support.” - Maura Martin, First Selectwoman, Town of Thomaston