HARTFORD – Five communities throughout the state, including Fairfield, have been chosen by Connecticut Main Street Center (CMSC) as its 2026 Main Street Accelerator Cohort. The others include Deep River, Torrington, Vernon and Westbrook.
This year marks the largest applicant pool since the program launched in 2024, underscoring growing interest in revitalizing Connecticut’s downtowns through a managed approach.
Main Street Accelerator is CMSC’s flagship professional development and team-building program, designed to help communities implement small-scale, high-impact projects that strengthen their downtowns. Over six months, participating teams learned the nationally recognized “Four Point Approach to Main Street Management” while applying it to a specific local challenge.
The teams and their projects represent a diverse array of Connecticut towns and cities:
- Deep River – Local leaders from several town commissions and departments will work together to reinvigorate the main street area with new messaging that tackles misconceptions about the downtown.
- Fairfield – A team comprised of members from the Town, Chamber of Commerce, and cultural institutions will work with key stakeholders to increase awareness, foot traffic, and economic activity for the newly established downtown Cultural District.
- Torrington – The team of city and cultural organization leaders will create a plan to revitalize and increase the vibrancy of the North End, while transforming city lots into spaces that support Hispanic businesses, celebrate culture, and connect the North End with downtown.
- Vernon – Municipal staff, commission members, stakeholders, and residents will focus on changing negative perceptions of the downtown that are hindering visitors and business growth.
- Westbrook – The team includes local stakeholders from a variety of community groups and will investigate ways to improve the illumination of two town-owned park properties to enhance the existing buildings, monuments, public trees and art.
“Interest in the accelerator program continues to grow as communities see the tangible impact past cohorts have made,” said Kristen Lopez, CMSC senior director of Programs. “We were thrilled with this year’s strong applicant pool and are excited to see what the 2026 group will achieve.”
The competitive program is limited to a maximum of five teams annually. This year’s cohort was chosen from a group of nine applicants, the largest since the program launched in 2024.
This year’s program will begin in January with a kick-off event in downtown Wallingford. The curriculum includes virtual classes, guest speakers, coaching calls, and collaborative assignments.
Those who successfully complete the course may also qualify for grant funding from CMSC to undertake their identified project. To date, CMSC and funding partners Webster Bank, Chelsea Groton Foundation and Thomaston Savings Bank have awarded $30,000 in grant funds to six Main Street Accelerator teams from Bethel, Bridgeport, East Hartford, Georgetown, Norwich, and Thomaston.
“We’re looking forward to working with these communities who are taking bold steps to strengthen their downtowns,” said Michelle McCabe, CMSC’s executive director. “Main Street Accelerator isn’t just about learning strategies. It’s about building connections and turning ideas into action.”
The Main Street Accelerator program serves as a complement to CMSC’s annual Main Street Management Assessment, which evaluates communities on over 85 data points and provides tailored recommendations for downtown improvement. The accelerator program provides communities with an opportunity to focus on a specific recommendation or priority area identified through the assessment.
