Seymour Main Street asks RDC for $350,000 in 2026 to expand downtown grant program

Darren Kaine, executive director of Seymour Main Street, asked the Redevelopment Commission for $350,000 in 2026 to grow the organization’s downtown grant program and an additional $100,000 earmark for critical projects such as remediation at Don’s Dugout. Kaine said Main Street awarded 12 grants in 2025 totaling $137,595 and that the organization recently secured a $10,000 matching streetscape grant.

Jason Bukowski, a Main Street board member, said increased local resources allow Main Street to move quickly on matching grants, including a potential state ‘‘Preserving Main Street’’ competitive program that could award up to $2 million on a 50/50 match. Commissioners broadly expressed support for the project premise but repeatedly requested more detailed, project-by-project budgets, historical grant recipient lists, and clarity about how any proceeds from future property sales (for example, a planned sale of 120 West Second Street) would be handled.

Several commissioners emphasized the RDC’s current constrained financial outlook—outlined earlier in the meeting—and stated they could not act on a major funding commitment that night. The commission reiterated its policy of not taking final action on grant funding requests the same evening they are presented and asked Main Street to submit the requested documentation well ahead of the December meeting so members have time to review.

Main Street agreed to provide detailed grant-by-grant reports, budgets, and a clearer timeline for projects including Don’s Dugout; the commission will consider the request at a later meeting after reviewing the materials.

Next steps: Main Street will deliver detailed financial and project documentation to the RDC in advance of the December meeting; the commission will follow normal grant evaluation procedures before any appropriation.