Revitalizing core areas seen as challenge that must be met.

Read the article in Maine Town & City.

ELLSWORTH — In an ongoing effort to revitalize downtown, a group of volunteers is setting out to become part of a program that supports similar renewal efforts in cities around the country.

Read the article in The Ellsworth American.

From Norway to Bath to Augusta, downtown revitalization is recognized as paramount to a community’s economic self-image and historic identity. Read the article in the April 2019 Maine Town & City.

MDF’s Maine Downtown Affiliate Program featured in Mainebiz as three new communities join the group.

Read the article in MaineBiz.

On Wednesday March 20, 2019 MDF’s Maine Downtown Center hosted a forum for employers and community organizations on retaining and attracting skilled workers who are coming out of the corrections system. The event was a partnership with the Maine Department of Corrections, University of Maine Augusta – Rockland Center, and Rockland Main Street. The forum was featured in the Bangor Daily News.

Among those who presented were offenders nearing the end of their sentences who spoke about the benefits of pre-release programs to develop highly sought after job skills, pursue educational degrees and certifications, and participate in resume writing, interviews, mentorships and other training that in many cases helped them land jobs while they are still incarcerated.

Read the Bangor Daily News Article:https://bangordailynews.com/2019/03/21/news/midcoast/maines-new-prison-leadership-team-makes-the-case-for-businesses-to-hire-former-inmates/

“We are excited to be chosen as a Maine Downtown Affiliate,” says Jamie Houghton, President, Vision Hallowell. “Downtowns are the heart of any community, and our little city has a big, creative heart that we wish to protect and promote using the tools and training that the Main Downtown Center program offers.” 

With the addition of these three communities, The Maine Downtown Center Affiliate Program (MDA) currently supports 17 member communities throughout Maine. All are in the early stages of downtown revitalization and many are working toward achieving “Main Street” designation. MDA offers access to training by state and national downtown development experts, best practices in the field, and a network of peers from around the state, but with less rigorous resource and financial investment than the Main Street Maine program. 

 “The City of Caribou recognizes the value of being part of the Maine Downtown Center’s Affiliate Program,” says Christina Kane-Gibson, City of Caribou Events & Marketing Director. ”The Main Street approach is a proven method of transformation that will bring our community even closer. I think our team is most excited about collaborating with the citizens and businesses who want to create positive change and economic opportunities in downtown Caribou.” 

Over the last several years, MDF has worked with these three communities to develop organizational structure, cultivate local leaders, and pursue a four-pronged approach laid out by the National Main Street Center. 

“I had the opportunity to attend every site visit this year,” says Anne Ball, Program Director, Maine Downtown Center, “All three communities demonstrate good energy, a clear vision and pride in their downtown areas that have made these designations a reality.“ 

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Contact

Anne Ball Program Director, Maine Downtown Center 
Maine Development Foundation 
aball@mdf.org 
207-415-5770

Local Affiliate Program Contacts

Christina Kane-Gibson
Marketing and Events, City of Caribou
Christina.kane-gibson@cariboumaine.org 
207-493-5319

Jamie Houghton
President, Vision Hallowell
jasmithhoughton@gmail.com  

Teresa Valliere
President, Friends of Woodfords Corner, Portland
woodfordscorner@gmail.com 
207-233-9276

About the Maine Downtown Center

Established in 1999, the Center serves as the state coordinator in Maine for the National Main Street Center, utilizing the Four-Point Approach® to help communities statewide revitalize their historic downtowns. This almost 40 year old approach has a reputation as one of the most powerful economic development tools in the nation for vibrant, healthy downtowns resulting in job creation, business growth, building rehabilitation and cultural enhancement. 

About the Maine Development Foundation

Maine Development Foundation provides leadership development, trusted research, and creative partnerships to enable Maine business, community and policy leaders to drive Maine’s long-term economic growth. To learn more about MDF, visit www.mdf.org.

For their redevelopment of the 1854 Povich Building located in downtown Bath, Windward Development and Bath Brewing Company received the 2018 Economic Development Award.  This project has resulted in 42 new jobs and has increased foot traffic throughout the downtown.

“This project was a unique partnership in a community that embraced our vision,“ says Sean Ireland, owner of Windward Development. “Main Street Bath and the City of Bath have laid the groundwork for a vibrant and welcoming downtown district.  Our partnership with these entities was vital to the success of the development and we look forward to future projects in the City of Bath.  We are honored to receive this award.“

Tobias Parkhurst was the recipient of the 2018 Catalyst Award for his leadership and investment in downtown Augusta.  He and his father, Richard Parkhurst, converted vacant buildings on the river, renovated them into market-rate apartments and opened Augusta’s first brewery and wood-fired pizza restaurant, Cushnoc Brewing.  He has also donated countless hours as champion and chair of the Augusta Downtown Alliance driving the Main Street organization’s focus and mission.

Mike Gent and Cheryl Clark saw potential in the downtown Gardiner Milliken Block after it sat vacant for a year.  Their vision and work to transform the once silent building into a community hub of activity earned them the 2018 Community Impact Award. The space now includes Gardiner’s only brewery, Two Gramps Brewing, a number of non-profit tenants, SpinOff Studio, and Healthy Communities of the Capital Area. The third floor provides additional space for artists, woodworkers, and yoga.  

Amy Grohman, President of Heart of Biddeford (HOB), was presented with the 2018 Leadership Award.  Every non-profit organization needs a volunteer like Amy Grohman.  She has quietly worked behind the scenes being a master of organization and assisted with strengthening bylaws, shoring up a Finance Committee, and adopting volunteer recruitment strategies.  At a time when Biddeford is experiencing rapid growth, HOB is stronger because of Amy.

The Maine Downtown Center Awards serve as inspiration statewide for communities and individuals working on downtown revitalization.  They recognize outstanding efforts in communities which are part of MDF’s Maine Downtown Center (MDC) program. To learn more about the program and how your community can get involved, visit our Maine Downtown Pages. 

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Contact
Anne Ball 
Program Director, Maine Downtown Center
Maine Development Foundation
aball@mdf.org
207-415-5770

About the Maine Downtown Center 

Established in 1999, the Center serves as the state coordinator in Maine for the National Main Street Center, utilizing the Four-Point Approach® to help communities statewide revitalize their historic downtowns. This almost 40 year old approach has a reputation as one of the most powerful economic development tools in the nation for vibrant, healthy downtowns resulting in job creation, business growth, building rehabilitation and cultural enhancement. 

About the Maine Development Foundation 

Maine Development Foundation provides leadership development, trusted research, and creative partnerships to enable Maine business, community and policy leaders to drive Maine’s long-term economic growth. To learn more about MDF, visit www.mdf.org. 

STOREFRONTS THAT SELL: DESIGN DYNAMIC DISPLAYS

Professional designer Rhonda Birkbeck takes us on a tour of the successful retail window — setting the stage to draw in more customers and signaling the vitality of your business. You don’t need to be a world-class artist to design dynamic displays after Rhonda Birkbeck walks us through the elements of eye-catching windows and shares simple steps for making your storefront sell for you. Plus, three Main Street communities will present a design strategy that soared in their downtowns. Come steal like an artist!
This event was held on February 15, 2018 at the Bath Savings Institute Community Room, 105 Front Street in Bath.