CT Main Street Ctr Announces New Rural Business Development Program in Partnership with GNACC

Connecticut Main Street Center is partnering with the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce to strengthen local small businesses by crafting a regional identity and marketing the area’s village centers. This project is supported by a USDA Rural Business Development Grant.

CMSC and GNACC are combining their expertise in supporting businesses, municipalities, and main streets to collaboratively develop a regional marketing strategy to bring in visitors, residents, and new businesses that each of the towns can benefit from, while also supporting the growth and success of the local small businesses. The goals of the program are to:

• Identify business clusters and capacity in the GNACC region;
• Develop a regional strategy to sustain and grow individual Main Streets and Village Centers; and
• Provide long-term guidance, technical assistance, and resources as part of a regional strategy that supports and grows small businesses.

Representing eleven towns in the area, most with populations under 5,000, GNACC will continue to serve as the regional convener and resource to the area’s small businesses; CMSC will provide assessment and technical assistance to the entities tasked with managing the commercial corridors within the towns and as part of a regional strategy. This partnership will also provide ongoing support for the regional marketing project to ensure continuity and the resulting economic development activity.

“We’re thrilled to partner with the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce because together we can strengthen small businesses in the region, create a supportive ecosystem that allows them to thrive, and offer opportunities to not only recruit new business to the area but to also be deliberate in our marketing efforts. Strong main street management results in a strong and resilient local economy,” said Michelle McCabe, CMSC Executive Director.

“We’re looking forward to collaborating with Connecticut Main Street Center on this new partnership. It’s going to help both the region at large and the individual towns and cities, while also providing a lot of customized support to the small businesses and main street stakeholders on the ground,” said Angela Adams, GNACC Executive Director.

About the Program:

Work has already begun on the partnership’s first phase. CMSC is conducting Main Street Readiness Assessments in each community and will develop reports on both the regional and the local level with recommendations for strengthening downtowns, village centers, and main streets. The Readiness Assessments include a walking tour to observe the community’s vision, built environment, assets, and local support. Concurrently, the GNACC is conducting an online business survey, hosting local coffee talks, and compiling data to inform workshops.

The findings will be used to inform the second phase of the project, where CMSC will design custom resources including workshops, trainings, and/or strategic planning to help the towns better serve the businesses.

“We’re looking forward to participating in the program and have already signed up for our Readiness Assessment,” said Voluntown First Selectman Tracey Hanson. “We know Voluntown has a lot to offer, and we’re excited to see how we can amplify those efforts by tying into a larger regional strategy that supports and promotes our village center and local merchants.”

“Anything we can do to add vibrancy and support our local businesses, we’re in!” said Ledyard Mayor Fred Allyn, III. “We love how this new partnership will give us concrete data about our commercial corridors, while also giving us a bigger picture strategy on how we can work together with neighboring towns.”

For more information on CMSC, its members and programs, visit CMSC’s website.