First Town Downtown, Chamber of Commerce Join Forces

The Windsor Chamber of Commerce has announced that it has formed a partnership with First Town Downtown (FTDT).

The future of First Town Downtown came into question earlier this year as members of .

It was a cut that council members deemed necessary, in addition to cuts to the police department, Board of Education and Public Works department, to decrease the budget's tax impact on Windsor residents.

The cut to FTDT, however, would have had an impact beyond taxes. For years, the organization has focused on the promotion of Windsor Center and the improvement of the quality of life in town through the organization of events like the Black and White Gala, Summer Concerts on the Green, Nightmare on Broad Street and the Holiday Parade down Broad Street during which firetrucks from departments throughout the area light up the center of town.

All those things were in jeopardy, but they now look to remain a reality of life in Windsor with the partnership.

"First Town Downtown's mission is to promote the town center and develop vibrant economic and cultural activity in Windsor. This fits in smoothly with The Chamber of Commerce's main goal of promoting Windsor business and advocating initiatives that enhance the town's economic vitality. Together the organizations will be able to serve the whole town better," the Chamber's website reads.

This isn't the first time the two organizations have partnered to provide services to the town. According to the Chamber's announcement, the two have joined forces to bring residents the Concerts on the Green and the Town-Wide Sidewalk Sale.

The timing isn't just perfect for FTDT, the Chamber website notes.

"The partnership comes at an ideal time as the Chamber is expanding its services to better serve the different sections of town. It already has a Day Hill area focus through the Transportation committee and will be opening a satellite office in the Wilson area this fall," reads the Chamber's announcement.

According to the Chamber, FTDT members "will retain membership in FTDT, which will remain a 501(c)(3) corporation, with its own benefits and existing Chamber members will retain membership in the Chamber with its unique benefits. The organizations share a similar mission but serve different needs in the business community."