New London Main Street Looks To Continue Activities On Leaner Budget

Members of New London Main Street said the organization has weathered a year of transition and uncertainty, but were optimistic that downtown events and promotion will be able to continue on a much reduced budget.

New London Main Street reviewed the past fiscal year and looked to plans for the future at its annual meeting on Friday. The board of directors anticipated that most downtown events will still take place, but the meeting also announced that New London Main Street is discontinuing its role in the Rink at Parade Plaza.

The skating rink concluded its second season this past winter and included activities such as open skates, youth hockey, and an inaugural broomball league. Renee Fournier, vice president of the board of directors, said poor weather helped discourage ticket sales and proceeds were considerably lower than the rink’s first season.

“Though it was a tough decision, it has been decided that New London Main Street is not in a position to operate the rink next season,” said Fournier. “The city is aware of this decision and together we are working to determine the next steps for the rink.”

Bill Craig, the board’s treasurer and chairman of the New London Main Street finance committee, said the organization has historically had a budget in the $300,000 to $400,000 range. However, he said the city made significant cuts to its contribution in preparing the 2013 budget. The organization plans to run its next fiscal year on a budget of about $170,000.

“We’re expecting to have a pretty good year next year,” Craig said. “We’re expecting to get back to the support levels we had in previous years, but we need the help of everybody.”

Craig said the food strolls that New London Main Street hosts each spring and fall have become increasingly popular, with ticket revenue increasing 24 percent over last year and accounting for 32 percent of the organization’s revenue.

Fournier said that New London Main Street ran out of buttons for the first time at the fall food stroll and sold 800 at the spring stroll.

“It is out ultimate hope that food strollers revisit these restaurants and merchants and come back to experience downtown New London again and again,” she said.

Annah Perch, executive director of New London Main Street, said the organization’s work in the coming year will include expanding its fundraising efforts and maintaining annual events such as the food strolls, Fish Tales Tugs and Sails, and Celebration of Lights and Song Around the World. Perch said she also hopes the organization can help in efforts to capitalize on New London’s history and maritime heritage.

“We know New England has great history but I have not noticed until now just how rich and amazing New London’s history in particular is,” she said.

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