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Caroline Tanbee Smith

@carolinetanbee

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Let’s make New Haven the Best City to Start in 2026!

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I believe the word of the year in New Haven is neighbor.

Because we are a city where today, on one of the coldest mornings of the year, New Haveners ran, walked, and cheered alongside one another in the @irisct_ Run For Refugees. And said in a chorus to every newcomer in our city: “My beloved neighbor, you belong here.”

I am so moved by our city’s uncompromising love, and I am so proud to call each of you — today as always — my neighbors! by @carolinetanbee

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8 months ago

To kickstart 2026, I am launching a new policy campaign: Best City to Start!

New Haven is a city of entrepreneurs, builders, and innovators. But small businesses so often hit the same barriers: High fees to get started, complex and confusing permitting, and long processes to receive licenses to grow.

New Haven should be the Best City to Start — a bakery, a flower shop, a skate shop, anything. Best City to Start will focus on three policies to start:
✅ Lower high startup fees for food entrepreneurs
✅ Streamline permits for packaged food businesses
✅ Make it easier have sidewalk and outdoor dining

And those are just three to start! Thank you to our partners who helped shape Best City to Start policies — including @collabct @resetco @cityseedhaven @the_crooked_goat_nh @ohshitosauce @chef_sils_vegan_kitchen @havenlynhv and individuals like Claudia Herrera, @zoenotzoey101, and dedicated City of New Haven staff. They’re the backbone of the small business ecosystem we love.

Lastly, many thanks to local artist @jpeg2k for their creative design for this campaign!

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When our small businesses thrive, New Haven thrives: We gain the beloved places that start our mornings and close out a long week. Our streets get brighter, busier, and safer. We have more spots to meet family, link up with friends, and find new neighbors. We create jobs that reinvest directly back into our community.

Want to be involved? Join our Best City to Start Coalition with the link in bio — and tag your favorite New Haven small business in the comments. Let’s make New Haven the best place to start...anything! by @carolinetanbee

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10 months ago

Thank you @yaledailynews for writing about @civicworksct — and for featuring Know Your Neighbors Fund Grantees who are bringing neighbors together! by @carolinetanbee

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14 hours ago

Join us for Kids Service Day! We will be hosting a clean up of Scantlebury Park 🍃🍂🎃

It will take place November 7th at 11am — ending in a pizza party. RSVP to attend (link in bio). by @carolinetanbee

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2 days ago

Power to the People!! Yale: Respect New Haven! #powertothepeople #yalerespectnewhaven taken in Yale University by @carolinetanbee

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5 days ago

It’s always inspiring to march with @34unitehere @33unitehere @217unitehere @newhavenrising and UNITE HERE Local 35 to demand that Yale University settle all contracts. Their solidarity is infectious. ✊ taken in Yale University by @carolinetanbee

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Get your tickets to see @nha.drama at @newhavenacademy’s upcoming season!

🎭 Much Ado About Nothing: November 5-8
❄️ Frozen: February 25-28
🏘️ Brookside: April 1-4

Three cheers for our brilliant high school students! Let’s show up to support their award-winning program. Buy tickets: nhadrama.org/events-tickets by @carolinetanbee

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5 days ago

Meet the Know Your Neighbors Fund Grantees!

Over 20+ neighbors have been selected to receive Know Your Neighbors Fund grants this Fall 2026! They include neighbors organizing a cookout and clean-up in Hill South, an art gathering in Beaver Hills, a community clean-up in Newhallville, a Youth Leadership Summit in Downtown, an outdoor film series in East Rock, a block party in the Annex, a recycling project by a student at @wilbur_cross_hs, and many more.

Thank you to our Selection Committee @hope.chavez, @group.project.nhv, @anapao225, and @_danielhunt203. Meet the Know Your Neighbors Fund using the link in our bio — and sign up for our Civic Works Newsletter for future grants and opportunities! by @carolinetanbee

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7 days ago

Congratulations to @lacocinadesandrallc for their Grand Opening on Temple Street! I was so proud and honored to cut the ribbon alongside your family 💐 by @carolinetanbee

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8 days ago

We visited @newhavencraftclub — one of the newest community spaces in our city. Congratulations on opening and thank you for bringing neighbors together around crafting! 🎨🫟 by @carolinetanbee

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10 days ago

Thank you @cwcseo for inviting @civicworksct to speak at CivicsCon in Hartford! Great to be with advocates, youth, and others across the state 🗳️ taken in Legislative Office Building by @carolinetanbee

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