What do you get when you combine rich history, a strong sense of community, and arts and culture? Madison, NJ. The Downtown Development Commission (DDC) has committed the last 30 years to branding and promoting downtown Madison so that everyone who lives, works or visits here has an enjoyable and memorable experience.
The DDC consists of 19 mayor-appointed volunteer commissioners representing a balanced cross section of public officials, business owners, property owners, residents and representatives from the local colleges, news media, merchants, nonprofits, senior centers and corporations. Commissioners include the Madison Mayor, the editor of the Madison Eagle, the president of the Madison Board of Education, a staff representative Drew University and prominent members of the community.
In an effort to bring people and attention to downtown Madison, the DDC coordinates several events and fund-raisers that either take place in the center of town, or raise funds that benefit downtown. In March, we host the Taste of Madison, in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce and The Rotary Club. The DDC runs the Madison Farmers Market, located off Main Street every Thursday from late May to October. In addition, the DDC sponsors and coordinates May Day in Madison, a day of volunteerism that recruits close to 900 people to clean up the town. The DDC also hosts Bottle Hill Day, a street fair on the first Saturday of October with amusements, live music, food, crafts and vendors. All proceeds raised by these events are used to enhance Madison’s public spaces, parks, lots and the historic district.
The DDC thrives on partnerships with almost every organization in Madison. In what is perhaps the strongest and most productive partnership, the DDC collaborates with the Madison Area Chamber of Commerce on programing and events. One of the most creative collaborations has been with the Madison Arts & Cultural Alliance. In addition, the DDC collaborates with other organizations including Museum of Early Trades & Crafts, Madison Music & Arts, Madison Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Drew University.
The DDC also has a role in the area of economic development through various promotional campaigns and social media outlets and the Madison Magazine produced bi-annually with Town Square Publications. In 2016-17, the DDC collaborated with the Madison Borough Council on new Downtown Revitalization Study conducted by the consulting group Urbanomics.
For more information, visit the DDC webpage at www.rosenet.org or contact the DDC at ddc@rosenet.org or (973) 245-3493.