Washington Borough BID: Building Momentum Through Community and Creativity
By: Kristy Romanowski, MA, LPC
Executive Director
Washington Borough Business Improvement District
Across New Jersey, downtowns are reimagining what it means to be vibrant, resilient, and community driven. Much like the transformation seen in Flemington, where historic preservation meets modern development and economic opportunity, Washington Borough is building.
Nestled in Warren County, Washington Borough now known as Little Washington, is leaning into its identity as a walkable, welcoming, and culturally rich downtown. The tagline “What’s the Buzz?” serves as an open invitation encouraging residents and visitors to stay curious, explore downtown, and discover what’s happening in Little Washington. The Washington Borough Business Improvement District (BID) is leading the charge, focusing on economic vitality, placemaking, and small business support. At its core, the BID’s mission is simple: Make downtown a place people feel welcome, happy, safe, and memorable.
Revitalization isn’t just about buildings, it’s about energy. Through signature events like the 23rd Annual Festival in the Borough, Northwest NJ’s Largest Music Festival, seasonal farmers markets, and creative programming, the BID is driving foot traffic, supporting local businesses, and turning everyday spaces into experiences. These efforts mirror successful strategies seen in other NJ downtowns, where cultural programming and community engagement play a critical role in economic growth. But Washington adds its own twist, blending art, humor, and grassroots participation into everything it does. Washington Borough understands that thriving downtowns are built on strong small businesses. Through initiatives like Buzz Bucks, collaborative marketing, and ongoing business engagement, the BID is creating real incentives for people to shop local and invest in the community. Little Washington’s Farmers Market has also been given the green light to accept EBT/SNAP benefits this year. Additionally, the BID partnered with City Green, Inc’s: Good Food Bucks Program which awarded a $10,500 grant that doubles the EBT/SNAP dollars spent in their downtown market. This helps everyone enjoy the Farmer’s Market and helps strengthen the local economy.
Public art and beautification are central to the BID’s strategy. From murals and artistically painted benches, the Borough is transforming its physical environment into something memorable and meaningful. These projects don’t just beautify they:
- Strengthen community identity
- Increase walkability
- Attract visitors and tourism
- Support local artists and creatives
One of the WBID’s most exciting upcoming initiatives is the transformation of an underutilized downtown alleyway into a vibrant, immersive public space. Rather than treating the alley as a shortcut, the vision is to turn it into a destination, a place people intentionally seek out, linger in, and share. Planned features include:
- Large-scale mural installations and rotating public art
- String lighting and overhead elements to create ambiance day and night
- Seating areas and gathering spaces for community connection
- Interactive/photo-worthy moments designed for social sharing
Washington Borough’s current progress is rooted in a strong foundation built by previous leadership, whose dedication and early efforts helped establish the BID and position it for growth. Their commitment to organizing events and maintaining a presence in the community laid important groundwork that continues to shape the district today. Building on that foundation, a new era of leadership has brought renewed energy and a forward-thinking approach to downtown revitalization. With a focus on visibility, consistency, and deeper engagement, the BID is expanding its impact while staying true to its core mission. This next chapter emphasizes not only economic and redevelopment planning, but also the importance of creating a downtown that feels welcoming, connected, and reflective of the community it serves. “Washington Borough has the potential to become a powerhouse for shopping, art, creative placemaking, and community,” says Kristy Romanowski, Executive Director. Romanowski believes, “we are on the brink of some really amazing art and beatification projects, murals that will brighten up our town, paired with several new and longstanding business…this gives us momentum for the future.”
Bringing together experience in mental health, community development, and creative placemaking, leadership is approaching revitalization through a more holistic lens one that recognizes the connection between vibrant spaces and overall well-being. Strengthened partnerships with business owners, non-profits, improved systems and communication are creating greater clarity and momentum across projects. The result is a downtown that honors where it has been, while confidently stepping into what it can become, growing not through replacement, but through thoughtful evolution. Like many historic towns, Washington Borough is balancing preservation with progress honoring its past while creating new opportunities for residents, visitors, and entrepreneurs. And if there’s one thing that’s clear, it’s this:
The buzz is real.
Stay tuned! Check out Washington BID’s new website for all our upcoming events, store hours, and more!
ABOUT THE WASHINGTON BOROUGH BID
The Washington Borough Business Improvement District — now doing business as Little Washington — is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to strengthening and promoting the entire borough of Washington by supporting local businesses, attracting visitors, and improving the overall look and feel of Main Street.
This year, the BID is doing things differently — starting with greater transparency, expanded business incentives, and intentional strategies to transform Washington Borough into a destination, not just a drive-through town. Their focus is on creating a vibrant, welcoming borough that supports businesses, attracts visitors, and reflects the pride of our community.
