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Connecticut Main Street Center outlines regional 'Promise Program' pilot to support 17 downtowns
Summary
Connecticut Main Street Center presented a pilot regional Main Street management program for Northwest Hills communities, based on 17 readiness assessments. The opt‑in initiative will run three workshops and is seeking a funding mechanism; local leaders will form working groups to develop strategic plans.
Kristen Lopez of the Connecticut Main Street Center told the Northwest Hills Council of Governments that the new Promise Program will pilot regional Main Street management across the COG area. "We started off with the readiness assessments," Lopez said, noting that "17 out of the 21 towns in the COG received a readiness assessment." The assessments categorized towns as "ready to go," "top potential," "aspirational" or "status quo" and include tailored recommendations and resources on a shared community platform.
Lopez said the pilot will use a three‑workshop sequence: a virtual orientation explaining what a regional Main Street program entails; an in‑person workshop convening a town's Main Street working group to clarify local vision; and a strategic‑planning workshop to produce an actionable work plan. Participation will be opt‑in and the program team is "still working on the details of how we can get it funded," she said.
Rista, who ran the meeting for the absent chair, emphasized the program’s regional approach and encouraged towns to form local working groups to take part. Rista said the COG had hosted 17 site assessments over the summer and that reports should already have been distributed to participating communities.
Why it matters: Main Street management programs are designed to coordinate downtown revitalization to support local businesses, strengthen tourism, and guide longer‑term development decisions. The Promise Program’s regional framing aims to let smaller towns access technical assistance they could not support alone.
Next steps: Connecticut Main Street and NH COG will schedule the first virtual workshop in the coming month or two and will share platform login details with participating towns.
