Christian LaPlante Named Franklin County’s Downtown District Coordinator

Christian LaPlante

GREENFIELD — Earlier this year, the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, Franklin County Community Development Corp., and Franklin Regional Council of Governments secured funding to lead the Rural Downtown Revitalization Pilot Project, a one-year, first-of-its-kind initiative through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development.

The pilot is designed to strengthen economic and cultural vitality and is grounded in the findings of a 2023-24 study by the BSC Group, which identified a critical need for enhanced coordination and administrative capacity for the downtown areas of Northfield, Turners Falls, and Shelburne Falls.

At the heart of this effort is the new role of downtown district coordinator, a shared position housed under the chamber that brings dedicated, on-the-ground support to all three communities. The hiring committee, representing the participating downtowns, has selected Christian LaPlante to serve as Franklin County’s inaugural downtown district coordinator.

LaPlante brings deep Franklin County roots and a strong background in economic and community development, most recently through his work with the city of Greenfield. In previous roles, he has managed grant programs, led placemaking and signage projects, built downtown marketing campaigns, and worked extensively with small businesses, town boards, and local creatives.

LaPlante officially began his role on July 14. Over the next year, he will work weekly in all three downtowns, engaging with stakeholders and working alongside newly formed downtown working groups comprised of local business owners, town officials, nonprofit leaders, artists, and residents. Together, they’ll identify and implement two or three stakeholder-prioritized projects in each community, while tackling ‘quick wins’ and shaping a long-term vision for shared regional success.