CHAT Festival could bring traffic

Local businesses hope to see a boost because of their presence at the Collaboration: Humanities, Arts and Technology festival, which begins today at the Campus Y and lasts through Saturday.

Many local businesses donated their resources for the event. Donations include lunches, a sweet tea station, equipment for the D.J. and video jockey party and a crepe station.

Other businesses provided coupons for festival attendees. The attendees are encouraged to visit Franklin Street for dinner, festival project manager Kirsten Beattie said.

“When we all pull together, we can make the region stronger,” Beattie said, adding that she expects 500 people to attend. “This is just one part of a long-term initiative.”