Helping communities solve
real-world problems

Main Street Accelerator is an action-oriented leadership development program
focused on helping communities better their downtown by implementing a specific project, 
such as launching a new initiative or addressing a challenge.

By the end of the Accelerator program, each community will have a completed project plan and the opportunity to receive grant funding to execute the project.

Main Street Accelerator is a perfect fit for communities with an identified challenge or opportunity that has public support,
but needs organization, guidance, and extra attention.

Program Overview

TYPES OF PROJECTS

Participating communities will bring a defined challenge and a project idea that addresses the problem. Types of challenges may include, but are not limited to, negative perception, too many vacancies, lack of foot traffic, etc.

Communities with a defined project scope will have the opportunity to brainstorm various solutions, troubleshooting different scenarios and aspects of the initiative(s) to develop a plan that ensures success. Examples of problem-solving initiatives include programming vacant lot(s) or storefronts, historic or community preservation efforts, supporting small businesses, launching or improving a market or festival, creating or improving a public space, launching a sustainability initiative, increasing arts and cultures programming, etc. It should be noted that challenges or initiatives exclusively focused on infrastructure are not a good fit for the Accelerator program.

ELIGIBILITY

• The Accelerator program is open to all Connecticut communities with a Main Street, downtown, village center, or commercial corridor.
• The program is limited to 10 communities through an application process. Preference will be given to existing CMSC members; however, non-CMSC members are encouraged to apply and, if accepted, will receive a 1-year CMSC membership.
• Main Street management is collaborative in nature. Each accepted community must have 3-5 stakeholders in the program to ensure the project’s success. The participant group should be made up of:
  • At least one individual who is a paid professional and has decision-making power/authority in their downtown, for example, Main Street/downtown manager, economic development director, etc.
  • Other participants should be representative of their downtown’s stakeholders, for example, board members, commissioners, volunteers, other municipal department officials, business owners, property owners, anchor institutions, etc.
• The community must have a specific project in mind that fits the “Types of Projects” description that will specifically impact its Main Street, downtown, village center, or commercial corridor.

HOW IT WORKS

Every participant will get log-in access to the Main Street Accelerator Community platform. Each month, content will be released via the platform that includes articles, videos, resources, and individual and group assignments. There is a virtual class gathering every month to go into further detail on that month’s topic and to hear from a guest speaker. Each community will have 3 group coaching calls throughout the program to get specific, tailored advice on their project.