TDA Board Chair, Bryan Evans, shares the organization’s initiatives and goals for 2024
The arrival of the new year was marked by a message from Bryan Evans, Board Chair of the Trenton Downtown Association. In his address, he articulated a vision for fostering a downtown Trenton that is not only cleaner and safer but also exceptionally inviting.
“As we enter a new year, we are passionate and steadfast in our commitment to revitalizing downtown Trenton. Our vision is to craft a cleaner, safer, and incredibly inviting downtown for all community members. We fully understand the enormity of this task, and we recognize that the challenges ahead are complex and impact everyone who lives, works, and plays downtown. Achieving this transformative journey requires meticulous planning, collaborative spirit, unwavering support, innovative ideas, and, above all, empathy.
While these words may sound familiar, let’s celebrate the many tangible actions that brought a significant and positive change in the past year. The Trenton Downtown Association (TDA) poured its heart and soul into empowering the TDA “Clean Team” with the necessary resources and support to carry out its mission. We’ve expanded the team and brought on board an experienced in-house operations manager to enhance their efforts. This is fantastic news for our diligent Clean Team, who dedicated over 6,500 service hours, collected more than 17,000 trash bags, and performed more than 18,000 public amenity cleanings within our Special Improvement District.
If you happen to cross paths with a member of the TDA Clean Team in your neighborhood, please extend a warm greeting and take a moment to admire their smart new TDA-branded uniforms.
Last year, we disseminated information across all TDA platforms in our relentless pursuit of reducing illegal dumping and improving trash and recycling management. This was, and continues to be, part of our broader strategy to keep the front of businesses free from unsightly refuse. The aesthetic appeal of downtown Trenton received a delightful facelift with the introduction of new spring and fall plantings, festive holiday decorations, pole banners, and upgraded façades for several businesses. In 2023, we breathed new life into the TDA Grant Façade Program, now offering eligible businesses up to $5,000 for façade and signage improvements. If you’re curious about this opportunity, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. As of January 2024, there’s still up to $20,000 in available funding.
We recently introduced the TDA Start-Up Grant, a valuable resource for budding businesses in our district. The goal is to reduce the burden of start-up costs and reduce retail vacancies in our district by providing up to $5,000 per applicant for eligible start-up costs. Learn more about this exciting opportunity by contacting us or visiting our website.
Our communication efforts have expanded, aiming to keep stakeholders and community members well-informed about crucial topics: downtown developments, available funding and application procedures, new business ventures, TDA services, additional resources, and accessible avenues.”
Situated at 16 East Hanover Street, right in the bustling heart of downtown Trenton, the Trenton Downtown Association stands as a nonprofit organization. Its overarching mission revolves around fortifying and bolstering the business district of New Jersey’s state capital. To achieve this goal, the association diligently crafts and implements programs geared toward fostering economic growth and encouraging investments in the region. The dedicated staff at Trenton Downtown Association actively engages in an array of activities, including but not limited to business recruitment and retention, public relations, advocacy, marketing support, referrals, partnership development, and the pivotal task of job creation.
To learn more about the programs, events, and resources provided by Trenton Downtown Association, click here.
