Registration is now closed. Please feel free to bring your payment and register at the door. 

Have you heard? Downtowns are HOT and opportunities for all sizes and varieties of businesses exist across Maine in our historic commercial districts.  The Maine Downtown Center is focusing its efforts this year with Business Opportunities On Main (BOOM):  matching resources to needs and boosting business development, recruitment and retention in our downtowns.  Join us for this informative and inspirational session where three Main Street downtown small business entrepreneurs will share their strategies to thrive in this economy.  The session concludes with an optional insiders tour of selected historic places, demonstrating innovative adaptive use and cutting-edge rehabilitation projects. 

Presenters include:

• Brad Swanson, Business Counselor, Maine Small Business Development Centers
• Gordon Platt, Business Counselor, Maine Small Business Development Centers
• Jaimie Logan, Governor's Account Executive, Maine Department of Economic and Community Development
• Josh Davis, Gelato Fiasco, Brunswick
• Johanna Hoffman, Saco Framing, Saco
• Tammy Ackerman, Engine Arts, Biddeford 

2012 Maine Downtown Institute sponsor: Bangor Daily News

This session is co-hosted with the Maine Small Business Development Centers and the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development.

Who should attend?  Everyone involved with downtown revitalization efforts including all Main Street Maine staff and board members, Downtown Network program leaders, other downtown boards and committee members, volunteers, small businesses, community planners and elected officials. 

All Downtown Institute sessions provide:  ideas, tools, resources and inspiration needed to help effectively tackle the challenges and opportunities facing downtown organizations and appointed committees.  Continental breakfast is provided at registration check in.  Advance registration and payment is required.

$25/Maine Downtown Center communities and Maine Development Foundation members
$35/all others

Questions?  Contact Roxanne Eflin, Senior Program Director, Maine Development Foundation/Downtown Center at 207-626-3117 or at reflin@mdf.org.

Directions

Engine Arts, 265 Main Street, first floor (across from the McArthur Library downtown)