Skowhegan Characteristics

 

 

Located in north central Maine, Skowhegan is situated on the picturesque banks of the Kennebec River. Like many Maine towns, Skowhegan’s history is steeped in wood products and mills, and the town is trying to find new avenues to bolster its economy. With the presence of New Balance Shoes, SAPPI Paper, and a strong downtown revitalization program, Skowhegan remains “a place to watch”. 

 

In its first year as a Main Street Maine community, downtown Skowhegan is undergoing significant infrastructure improvements, including the replacement of the town’s water and sewer lines, new streetlights, and a building façade program. The Main Street program has taken the construction in stride, and held a number of promotional events to bring people downtown even at the height of construction. The program has also launched a “Shop Skowhegan” campaign, and held its first formal gala on October 7th.  

 

The downtown has also benefited from new private investment. The historic Strand Theater was renovated and expanded, and now offers three screens with comfortable seating. Several downtown buildings have been recently purchased, with new ownership planning major renovations in the coming years. Plans are also in the works for new downtown housing, as well as a new hotel that will overlook the downtown area and help bring tourists to the area.  

 

With training and technical assistance from the Maine Downtown Center, Main Street Skowhegan is developing plans for a downtown design program, planning for downtown intercept surveys, and continuing to build the organization through volunteer recruitment and fundraising. The group also continues to promote local businesses such as the Blueberry Cupboard and Russakoff Jewelers, while working to attract new businesses to the downtown area.