GAVA, the Grand Avenue Village Association, is a membership based, non-profit organization of local merchants along Grand Avenue in New Haven, Connecticut. Grand Avenue is one of the main arteries of Fair Haven, and is its most densely populated commercial strip. Many small business and community based organizations are located along this corridor.GAVA spends considerable time interacting with its membership, providing direct assistance and networking. Its membership comprises 106 companies, with a core group of six representations serving on its executive board. Retailers and restaurants make up the majority of members, with service firms, contractors, wholesalers, and non-profit organizations also represented.The impact that GAVA has had on the Fair Haven community and local businesses since its inception is significant. The organization provides technical assistance, access to business planning, and financing to small businesses. It is instrumental in the development and architectural planning of the Grand Avenue commercial corridor an in mobilizing its members to become involved and active on issues affecting the neighborhood. It holds monthly clean ups along Grand Avenue and meets one-on-one with merchants to help resolve any issues affecting their business or the neighborhood at large. Long term goals include developing the clea-up program into a full fledged, year-long beautification campaign, developing the three-year running Farmer's Market into an ethnically diverse "destination" Farmers' Market for the New Haven area, broadening its membership base and creating a Special Services District.