New Milford Joins Connecticut’s Cultural District Spotlight

Connecticut is full of nightlife, culture, non-profits, and community centers, and when all of those things come together in a square mile radius it breeds life into our communities. New Milford is now in Connecticut's cultural spotlight.

Thirteen municipalities in Connecticut have passed the vetting process that the state of Connecticut has set up for designated cultural districts now, with New Milford as it's newest member. As of today Bristol, Farmington, Manchester, Mystic Bridge, New Milford, New London, Norwalk, Ridgefield, Stonington, Stonington Village, Torrington, Unionville, and Wethersfield are all designated cultural districts standing as models of artistic development and cultural activities.

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I live in Torrington, which has a designated cultural district in the heart of downtown, Torrington received it's designation in 2022, shortly after we moved there from Waterbury. How has this designation helped in my hometown? Torrington has a community radio station that is actually supported by our community, and beautiful murals from local artists take up many former drab industrial walls and buildings. The nice thing about Torrington's downtown is that businesses are at least attempting to establish a presence, there aren't many vacant store fronts.

New Milford has the walkability and variety of restaurants, historic sights, stages for plays and movies and events, artistic spaces, and a nice variety of local merchants and restaurants, and a devotion to community events.

How Will Connecticut Help New Milford's New Cultural District?

According to ct.gov, while this cultural district designation does not provide direct access to grants, more funding opportunities will be accessible as well as marketing and promotional assistance from the state.