Published on Friday, 5 August 2022 14:36
Written by Ciara Hooks
@Hooks_Ciara

NEW BRITAIN – After five months of searching, the New Britain Downtown District Board of Commissioners has appointed Nicole Bosco as its new executive director.

Bosco will be taking over for Dennis Morrell, who served as interim director after Gerry Amodio’s retirement in February 2022.

“We are very much looking forward to welcoming Nicole as she possesses the vision to bring our long-term goals for the downtown to a reality,” said Leo Gagne, NBDD’s treasurer and president emeritus of TBI Development Company. “The Search Committee was committed to finding an individual who could take on the challenge and we were intrigued by her skill set.”

Bosco has several years of municipal government experience, serving as the economic development coordinator in the Department of Planning & Development for the City of New Britain. In this role she worked with the local business community to advise and connect them with professional and financial resources, as well as assist in business attraction, expansion and retention. Bosco also served as the director of Constituent Services in Mayor Erin Stewart’s office prior to that, as well as working for the Town of Berlin as an economic development associate.

“We are looking forward to Nicole joining us at the Downtown District,” said Justine Moriarty, secretary of the Board. “She brings the background, skills and energy needed as we go forward toward achieving and expanding our goals during this exciting renewal in downtown New Britain.”

As executive director, according to the downtown district, Bosco will be focused on leading the downtown area through a time of resurgence, as witnessed by several new development projects whose investment downtown represent the progress the NBDD foresees for the future of the area. With a background in business development, real estate and urban planning, her experience will cater to the property owners in need of high quality tenants and the implementation of beautification programs to better support the goals of the NBDD’s Strategic Plan.

Being a resident of New Britain continues to strengthen and maintain her already strong personal and professional relationship with the city and its business owners, the downtown district added.

“I have a personal interest to see the downtown transform and am honored to be chosen to take on this new role,” Bosco said. “New Britain’s downtown has great potential to be a lively destination spot that can positively impact the economic growth of the city overall. I am grateful to be able to continue working with the various departments in City Hall, as well as the property owners and businesses to facilitate engaging programming opportunities and new development projects.”

Bosco will officially start her new role this Monday and will immediately start meeting with property owners and overseeing preparations for the annual Downtown Car Show and return of the Halloween Trick or Treat Safe Zone this fall. She also intends to renovate the existing Visitor’s Center at 66 West Main Street.

The Board of Commissioners went through a thorough interview process performed by an internal Search Committee, with guidance from the CT Main Street Center where they ultimately selected Bosco for the position.

New Britain Downtown District was established in 1983 as a Business Improvement District (BID), which aims to protect the best interests of the property owners in a city centers. The NBDD collects an extra tax from the properties located within the district, whose mill rate is currently 3.8. This revenue is utilized to support economic development initiatives such as internal grant programs for businesses and operating expenses for annual events.

Ciara Hooks can be reached at chooks@centralctcommunications.com