Simsbury Main Street outlines 2026 plan to retain businesses, address 25% office vacancy
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Summary
Simsbury Main Street presented 2025 results and six strategies for 2026, including an office‑space vacancy committee and use of Placer AI for visitor and sales analysis; the group said town funding covers roughly two‑thirds of its budget and asked for continued partnership.
Simsbury Main Street Partnership told the Board of Selectmen on Jan. 12 that it plans to focus in 2026 on retaining existing businesses, recruiting new niches, coordinated branding, youth engagement and special events while addressing a reported more‑than‑25% office vacancy rate in town.
"We have a 3 year MOU with the town of Simsbury," Executive Director Sarah Nielsen said, describing Main Street’s formal relationship with municipal government and its year‑round support for local businesses. Nielsen cited a gift‑card program that sold 432 cards and kept roughly $25,920 circulating locally and said the organization does free business listings and cooperative marketing for Simsbury bricks‑and‑mortar businesses.
Why it matters: Main Street said retaining existing businesses is the fastest, most cost‑effective way to stabilize downtown commerce; officials and staff pressed for specifics about funding and coordination with the Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Commission. Nielsen said Main Street’s town contribution has grown over time (she described it moving from about $60,000 toward $85,000) and that roughly two‑thirds of Main Street’s operating budget is covered by municipal support.
Main Street announced two new 2026 initiatives: formation of an office‑space vacancy committee to develop parcel‑specific reuse incentives and the planned purchase of Placer AI, a location‑analytics platform. "Once Main Street purchases it, we will have proprietary access," Nielsen said, adding the group intends to generate reports for property owners and to use the platform to measure visitation, sales leakage and event profiles.
Board members asked how vendor data would be shared and what protections would be in place; Nielsen said Main Street would provide tailored reports to property owners and event organizers. She and the board also discussed downtown‑wide Wi‑Fi, signage needs in West Simsbury and continued coordination among Main Street, the Chamber and the EDC.
Looking ahead: Main Street said the office‑vacancy committee will convene with town staff and representatives from boards and commissions and will pursue pilot projects and zoning and incentive options. The board did not vote on funding changes but indicated the topic will be part of the upcoming budget and future meetings.
