Strategic Renewal • Economic Catalyst • Community Transformation

As Mayor of Granby, Paul Chavoustie led the vision, strategy, and execution oversight behind the town’s renewal—guiding a coordinated effort across public and private stakeholders to reposition the community and restore long-term economic momentum.

Granby was worn down and working to recover from earlier challenges.

• Main Street approaching 50% vacancy
• Three large failed developments weighing on momentum
• Little to no attainable housing
• Limited job opportunities
• Functioning primarily as a drive-through town

It had potential.

But no clear economic engine to unlock it.

The approach was simple—but not easy:

• operate the town with a business-minded discipline
• focus on revenue and momentum through asset utilization
• establish a destination anchor to drive long-term activity

This vision was established and led at the mayoral level—aligning stakeholders, setting direction, and ensuring execution followed through.

A project large enough to:

• bring tourism
• create jobs
• generate tax revenue
• create housing opportunities
• activate the local economy

Before anything else—
the town needed to feel alive again.

Not just improve the town—

redefine how it was perceived.

The effort began with visible, coordinated change:

• cleanup and activation initiatives
• façade improvements across Main Street
• conversion of underutilized spaces
• full rebranding of the town identity

Before → After

• vacant, tired storefronts
→ active, refreshed commercial spaces

• fragmented identity
→ cohesive brand and experience

• declining perception
→ renewed confidence

Granby wasn’t just improving.

It was becoming recognizable again.

A critical inflection point involved a failed large-scale development:

• 1,500 acres
• over $60M previously invested
• stalled for years

Rather than waiting for recovery—

the town, under Paul’s leadership, negotiated and acquired the asset at a fraction of prior value.

From there, the strategy:

• preserve over 700 acres of open space and river corridors
• protect natural assets long-term
• position select portions for high-impact destination development

The project was not forced into development.

It was intentionally positioned to attract the right partner.

Result:

• national operator selected and engaged
• destination RV resort developed
• ~$120M private capital invested
• long-term tourism and job creation established

With momentum established:

• attainable housing projects advanced (Rodeo Apartments, Smith Creek Crossing)
• year-round public transportation implemented
• continued downtown improvements reinforced growth

• municipal debt eliminated
• new tax revenue streams created
• significant private investment attracted

• large-scale distressed asset repositioned
• destination resort successfully delivered
• open space and river preserved at scale

• downtown revitalized
• improved quality of life
• expanded housing availability
• renewed identity and community pride

• Main Street Award (Branding & Revitalization)
• national attention and industry recognition
• widely referenced as a model for small-town renewal

The breakthrough wasn’t a single project.

It was leadership alignment.

• vision aligned with opportunity
• stakeholders aligned with direction
• execution aligned with the plan

Before:

• reactive
• fragmented
• underperforming

After:

• intentional
• aligned
• performing

Revenue creates momentum.
Momentum changes perception.
Perception attracts opportunity.

Granby didn’t need to become something different.

It needed to become what it was always capable of being.

A place people don’t just pass through—
but choose to stop, invest, and return to.