The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Torrington eyes cultural district
State program could help with city’s marketing, promotion
TORRINGTON — City officials believe increased cultural offerings can lead to increased tourism, and ultimately increased revenue and a better community, and now are considering applying to the state for the creation of a cultural district.
According to Economic Development Director Rista
Malanca, a cultural district is designed to promote tourism and increase visitation within the district; improve the quality of life for residents; promote and encourage artists, entrepreneurs and creative businesses; and strengthen distinctive character of communities.
“The cultural district will help drive economic growth
and expand tax base within Torrington. The District is designed to highlight Torrington’s culture and history in a condensed, walkable area,” Malanca said. “The idea is, there could be funding from the state available in the future. Not now, but there are still benefits to identifying this area as a district.”
Among the requirements to apply, Torrington has to provide a map of the proposed area, and a list of cultural assets within that area, as well as cultural events that are held at locations
on the map. The map’s designated area is bordered by Pearl , Wall , Franklin , Cook and Alvord streets, intersected by Main and South Main streets. The map includes Coe Memorial Park and other downtown areas near and around City Hall and the business district.
The designation is overseen by the state’s Department of Economic and Community Development. If a town’s application to become a cultural district were to be approved, that department makes “investments” to help it grow, using its tourism website, ctvisit.com, as well as marketing and promotion, according to its website.
The department defines a cultural district as “a specific area of a city or town identified by the municipality that has a number of cultural facilities, activities and/or assets – both for profit and nonprofit. It is a walkable, compact area that is easy for visitors to recognize. It is a center of cultural activities – artistic and economic. It is a place in your city/ town where community members congregate, and visitors may enjoy those places that make a community special. Because each community is unique, each Cultural District will look different.” “Once we’re accepted, we will develop a cultural committee to see what can be done to promote the area,” Malanca said. “If there are funding opportunities, we’ll have a better opportunity to apply for them.”
To learn more about Cultural Districts go to bit.ly/3zLtK9n.
Malanca has scheduled a public informational meeting to discuss the plan at 6 p.m. Sept. 9 on Zoom. To join the meeting, go to zoom.us/join and enter meeting number 893 1661 3894, passcode Torrington. Residents also can call 646-558-8656, meeting ID 89316613894# and password 4567578511# US, or visit torringtonct.org and join using the posted meeting link.
Anyone with questions can contact Malanca at 860-496-5920 or Rista_Malanca@torringtonct.org.