Milford Improvement Team's 2012 Rundown

The Milford Improvement Team had a very successful year thanks to the support of the Milford Community.

In keeping with our mission to promote, revitalize, and enhance the economic vitality of Milford, the Milford Improvement Team accomplished the following activities in 2012.

EVENTS 

MIT held 6 events over the last year serving a total of 35,000 attendees. Events included: 

• Support for the Milford Winter Farmer's Market 
• 3rd Annual Milford Keyes Art Festival in partnership with the Keyes Art Group.
• A Taste of Milford
• Summer Lunchtime Concerts
• Milford Pumpkin Festival
• 1st Annual Snow Ball Drop 

PROJECTS

MIT continued several ongoing projects in 2012.

Beautification - MIT coordinates the seasonal flower plantings on the bandstand, the Oval perennial flower beds and the seasonal banners displayed on the period lightpoles throughout the downtown. In addition, MIT decorates the Oval for the holidays with roping and lights on street poles and procures and lights the Town holiday tree.

Revolving Loan Fund - was established in 2011 from funding by a federal HUD grant. Currently, MIT has $30,000 of the fund's total $50,000 to re-lend and is actively seeking applications from Milford businesses.

Promotion - MIT works to promote the Town of Milford to the region and State as a destination for visiting, shopping, dining and doing business. MIT added an events calendar to our website that is open to other community organizations and regularly assists other community groups with promoting their events through our website, social media, press releases, and networking.

VALUE TO COMMUNITY

The taxpayers of Milford have generously supported the Milford Improvement Team by voting in favor of a $20,000 warrant article for the MIT operating budget and a $20,000 warrant article that offsets town expenses (police, fire, public works) of the Pumpkin Festival.

The return on investment to Milford taxpayers is significant. When the value of all direct and indirect investment is quantified due to MIT's events, programs, marketing and volunteer time, Milford taxpayers realize$137 in reinvestment for every $1 approved for MIT Warrant Articles. 

• Volunteer hours* given to Milford Improvement Team events/activities: 1962 hours, valued at $42,752            
• Volunteer hours given to the Pumpkin Festival: 890 hours,  $18,957
• Sponsorship Investment to the Community Due to MIT Activities: $47,810
• Funds Raised by Other Community Groups at MIT Events: $42,311
• Total Economic Impact of Milford Pumpkin Festival on Town Economy: $2.6 million
• Marketing value to Town of MIT events/activities (what cost to Town would be if all media mentions were purchased): $93,243

(*current value of a volunteer hour is $21.79/hour)

The Board of Directors of the Milford Improvement Team wishes to thank the citizens of Milford for their support in 2012. We look forward to continuing our efforts to make Milford a destination for visitors and a great place to live in 2013.

If you would like to make an investment in your community, please click here. Thank you!