Trenton signs 3-year community banner agreement with CGI Communications; businesses to sponsor displays

The Trenton City Council unanimously approved a three-year agreement Monday with CGI Communications to run a citywide community showcase banner program funded by business sponsorships, DDA Director Buscino said.

Buscino told the council CGI will manage design, installation, maintenance and insurance at no cost to the city; the program will expand the current banner program beyond downtown and is scheduled to start in fall 2025 if the agreement proceeds. “They fully handle this entire program,” Buscino said. “All they ask is a letter from the mayor to the businesses when they do their outreach.”

Buscino said sponsorships typically cost about $700 to $800 and businesses may purchase multiple banners; the Downtown Business Association (referred to in the meeting as the Trenton Business Association) has agreed to relinquish its banner program in the fall. She said CGI will fill remaining spaces if fewer businesses sign up.

Council members moved and supported the agreement after the presentation. The transcript records no specific financial commitment from the city; Buscino said the program “comes at no cost to the city” because it is fully sponsored. The council did not set a separate outreach timetable beyond the vendor’s proposed fall start.

The program will extend banner eligibility to businesses citywide and allow for annual variation in banner designs, Buscino said.