Farmington and Augusta are among seven Maine municipalities selected to participate in a new program designed to help communities revitalize their downtowns.

The new Maine Downtown Network is a "lighter" version of its sister program, Main Street Maine, because it does not require a three-year commitment for a full-time coordinator.

Both programs are affiliated with the state's Maine Development Foundation and the National Main Street Center. In central Maine, Waterville, Gardiner and Skowhegan are designated Main Street Maine towns.

Farmington's application was submitted by the Farmington Downtown Association with support from the town of Farmington and Greater Franklin Development Corporation. Augusta's was put forward by the Office of Economic Development.

"We felt our downtown is already pretty vital and that we needed some help but not a lot," said Farmington Town Manager Richard Davis. "Our downtown is strong and we want to be proactive and keep it strong."

Gerard Roy, associate director of Augusta's economic-development office, said participating in the new program will provide the city with the training and funding opportunities it needs to attract more businesses and visitors downtown.

"This will add to the Mayor's Downtown Initiative and will tell us how to do our job better," Roy said.

The initiative, working with Augusta's Riverfront Business Group, now offers free wireless networking, or WiFi, throughout downtown. Plans include creating a "museum of the streets" with plaques commemorating historic events; signs directing people to the riverfront commercial district; and creation of a downtown map.

According to Maine Development Foundation's Web site, the Maine Downtown Network was created to strengthen downtown revitalization efforts and provide communities with resources and with training led by experienced downtown revitalization experts from Maine and from across the country.

Low-cost workshops are offered at the Maine Downtown Center in Augusta and include tapping into assets to stimulate a town's economy; saving historic buildings; promoting local businesses; and developing community leadership. They are open to the public with discounts to Maine Street Maine and Maine Downtown Network communities.

The Maine Downtown program uses the approach created by the National Main Street Center. It focuses on organization -- to maximize community involvement; promotion -- to attract visitors, shoppers and investors; design -- to enhance a district's appearance while preserving historic features; economic restructuring -- to stimulate business development and strengthen the economic base.

"The program is based on methods that have been proven to keep downtowns vital and vibrant," said Alison Hagerstrom, executive director of Greater Franklin Development Corporation.

"We will need help to do this and will be looking for lots of volunteers," she said.

"This is a new way of thinking," she said. "This isn't just a downtown Farmington project. It is a broader effort because a vital downtown brings people to the area and benefits all businesses."

The cost for the two-year commitment is between $250 and $1,000 a year, with the fee determined by population.
According to program manager of the Maine Downtown Center Roxanne Eflin, over the next few months, consultants will visit the communities and will work with key organizations to produce a summary report and recommendations.

"This is very grassroots, very volunteer-based. It is from the ground up," Eflin said.

Michael Mansir, president of the Farmington Downtown Association, said being part of this new program can only benefit an already vibrant downtown.

"The Farmington Downtown Association works to continuously enhance the downtown and this program will help us to do that for years to come," he said.

According to the Maine Development Foundation, the nine Maine Street Maine communities have reported over 133,580 local volunteer hours dedicated to downtown revitalization efforts; over $95.7 million in private and public funds invested; 359 buildings rehabilitated; and a net gain of 617 new jobs and 154 new businesses.

Betty Jespersen - 778-6991

bjespersen@centralmaine.co