Resource Library

2024 Belfast Community Survey

Our Town Belfast 2024 community survey results

A Planning Guide for Making Temporary Events Accessible to People with Disabilities

A Planning Guide for Making Temporary Events Accessible to People with Disabilities (ADA National Network, 2015)

Advocacy for Main Street

California Main Street program advocacy sheet

Assistant Director Job Description

Example description for Assistant Director position.

Co-op Month Webinar Series Part 1: Human Resources Best Practices for Your Growing Co-Op Business

During this session, the panelists discuss best practices and policies in human resources for cooperative employees, managers, directors, and others as the cooperative business expands and adds more employees, with a focus on Maine law. Panelists: Tara Walker – Shareholder, Bernstein Shur, Labor & Employment John Crane – General Manager, Portland Food Co-op PASSCODE: kK17*cr!

Co-op Month Webinar Series Part 2: Strategies for New Co-Ops: Financing, Business Planning, and Growth”

During this session, the panelists discuss issues relevant to start-up co-ops, including issues related to business planning, entity formation, financing, and early growth. 10/18/23 Panelists: Helen Coburn – Shareholder, Bernstein Shur, Business Law Sarah Speare – Co-Founder/CEO, Tootie’s Tempeh, Inc. PASSCODE: *ZFe?4k4

Co-op Month Webinar Series Part 3: Strategies for Planning and Financing Cooperative Expansions

During this session, the panelists address strategies for existing cooperatives looking to plan and finance the expansion and growth of the business and their facilities, including examples from recent Maine co-ops that have completed their own expansion projects. 10/25/23 Panelists: Chris Linder – Loan & Outreach Officer, Cooperative Fund of the NE Adam Prescott – Shareholder, Bernstein Shur, Business Restructuring & Insolvency Doug Johnson – General Manager, Belfast Community Co-op Kevin Gadsby – General Manager, Blue Hill Co-op PASSCODE: w3fJ42!3

Coastal Risk Explorer

The Nature Conservancy Coastal Risk Explorer tool to assess service access & vulnerabilities

Common Grant Application Form

National Network of Grantmakers Common Grant Application Form

Construction Business Resources

Laramie, WY went through a utility line project that impacted businesses in downtown – it’s rough especially when there is no visible improvement at the end (but new water lines are a necessary thing). They put together a packet for businesses to help them prep for construction along with pre-made posters, social media posts etc. for them to use.

Cost of Vacant Buildings

Cost of Vacant Buildings one pager- Main Street Iowa

Design Guidelines- Lewiston, ME

DESIGN LEWISTON SITE PLAN REVIEW AND DESIGN GUIDELINES/STANDARDS CITY OF LEWISTON PLANNINGDEPARTMENT last updated 03/23

Design Review Ordinance – Freeport, ME

DESIGN REVIEW ORDINANCE CHAPTER 22 Freeport, ME Amended 01/22

Downtown Master Plan RFP – Gardiner, ME

RFP for Heart of Gardiner Downtown Master Plan (2020)

Draft Ordinance for Vacant Properties

Emporia, Kansas ordinance for vacant properties

Economic Impact and Municipal Buildings

a list of links and resources for the connection between active municipal building use and downtown economic impact

Example business survey- event economic impact

Example survey sent to businesses post-downtown event to gauge economic impact.

Fundraising ideas from The Point

Kathy Laplante shared multiple ideas for fundraising for Main Street Organizations

Grant Writing Made Easy

Grant Writing Made Easy Powerpoint from the Grant Training Center

Heart of Gardiner Downtown Master Plan (2020)

Downtown Master Plan Gardiner, ME 2020

January 2024 Storms: Resources

Island Institute- In the wake of the January storms, our island and coastal communities are grappling with the devastating impacts of severe flooding and storm damage. To support the families and businesses through this difficult time, we are sharing resources to recover, rebuild, and prepare for the future. If you have questions or need additional assistance please contact Nick Battista, Chief Policy Officer: nbattista@islandinstitute.org.

Job Ad

Example ad for a Program Coordinator job posting.

Job Description- Program Coordinator

Example job description for a Program Coordinator position.

Job Posting Draft

draft example of a job posting

Listing Historic Properties on the National Register

How historic tax credits work, what the National Register does and doesn’t do.

Main Street Board Assessment Tool

Michigan Main Street Board Assessment Tool fillable PDF

Maine Floodplain Management

Maine Flood Plain Management program Chapter One: Model Floodplain Ordinance (PDF 206KB) Overview of participation in the NFIP, Ordinance Adoption – Model Floodplain Management Ordinance (PDF 136KB) Chapter Two: Floodplain Data (PDF 1.6MB) The Base Flood, Special Flood Hazard Area, Making map Determinations, base Flood Elevations, Riverine SFHAs and Floodways, Coastal High Hazard Areas, Base Flood Studies, Revising Regulatory Floodplain Data Chapter Three: Activities Regulated (PDF 309KB) Development, Statutory Authority to Regulate, Other Activities, Other Regulations Chapter Four: Preventing Increased Damages (PDF 401KB) The Problem,The Floodway Concept, Hazardous Materials Chapter Five: Protecting Structures (PDF 550KB) Structures, The Flood Protection Elevation, How Floods Damage Buildings, Protecting Against Flood Damage, Substantial Improvements/Substantial Damages Chapter Six: Administrative Procedures (PDF 3.3MB) The Development Permit System, Record Keeping Requirements, Checking Elevations in the Field, Variances, Enforcement Chapter Seven: Related Important Information (PDF 29KB) Community Rating System, Emergency Management Institute (PDF 103KB) Appendix A: Annotated Flood Hazard Development Application & Permits (Coastal E Model) (PDF 82KB) Find the Flood Hazard Development Applications and Permits that are appropriate for use in your town. Appendix B: Flood Hazard Development Application & Permits (Coastal E Model) (PDF 110KB) Appendix C: Checking Elevations in the Field (PDF 133KB) Appendix D: Elevation Certificate (PDF 2.4MB) Appendix E: Floodproofing Certificate Appendix F: Other Certificates, V Zone Certificate & Hydraulic Openings Certificate (PDF 27KB) Appendix G: Related Publications & Videos (PDF 28KB) Appendix H: NFIP Entry Information (PDF 174KB) Appendix I: Order FEMA Flood Maps On Line (PDF 393KB) You may also order directly from FEMA’s Map Service Center web site. Appendix J: Assorted Floodplain Management Articles (PDF 92KB) The articles in this file include: Is it in the Floodplain, What if I Subdivide in the Floodplain?, They Just Don’t Get It, Hugo’s Lessons on Construction: NFIP Standards Work, Common Community Errors in Floodplain Management, and Flood Hazard Determination Issues. Appendix K: Biennial Report (PDF 247KB) Appendix L: Executive Order 11988 (PDF 59KB) Appendix M: Benefits of Participation & Effects of Suspension from the NFIP (PDF 1.2MB) Appendix N: Protecting Your Property From Flooding, Anchoring Heating Oil/Propane Tanks – (FEMA 481 DVD Video) (PDF 403KB)

Michigan Main Street Board Training

Michigan Main Street Board Training slides (September 2021)

Michigan Main Street Local Director Manual

Local director manual

Multi-Lingual Sidewalk Snow Ordinance (Arabic)

Portland City Ordinances and Snow Removal Info Translated for non-English speakers.

National Weather Flood Forecast

National weather flood forecast: (note, maps do not typically account for sea-level rise)

One Pager for Advocacy

The Power of Main Street in Virginia- Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance

Parks for Pups and People of All Ages

Off-leash dog parks are the fastest-growing type of park in the United States

Planning Forward for Stronger Coastal Communities

Gulf of Maine Research Institute Our Municipal Climate Action Program launches a new climate strategy workshop called Planning Forward. Planning Forward, which is one component of a larger community-based climate action effort called Community Resilience Training, supports Maine’s rural coastal communities as they plan and prepare for coastal climate impacts by developing the knowledge, skills, and relationships necessary to create data- and community-informed climate resilience plans. These trainings are developed and implemented by GMRI staff, with facilitation support from partners at the Island Institute and funding support from NOAA.

Portland Snow Removal (Arabic)

Portland City Ordinances and Snow Removal Info Translated for non-English speakers

Professional Grant Development Workshop

Grant Training Center Professional Grant Development Workshop guidebook

Public Life Study Tool

Since the pandemic, public space projects have gained new life through placemaking. Cities, planners, and community members alike recognize that shared spaces are critical to our health and wellbeing. But what value do public spaces really add to our communities? How do we know when these spaces are successful or not? Happy Cities’ Public Life Study offers a flexible, low-barrier method for community organizations, planners, and residents to measure changes in health, happiness, and inclusion—and advocate for greater investment in shared spaces.

Public Restrooms – The Point

discussion from The Point on public restrooms

SAMPLE Financial Policies & Procedures

KDDA financial policies and procedures

SAMPLE Standard Operation Policies & Procedures

Kruppopolis Downtown Development Association Policies and Procedures Handbook

Strategies for New Co-Ops: Financing, Business Planning, and Growth

During this session, the panelists discuss issues relevant to start-up co-ops, including issues related to business planning, entity formation, financing, and early growth. Panelists: Helen Coburn – Shareholder, Bernstein Shur, Business Law Sarah Speare – Co-Founder/CEO, Tootie’s Tempeh, Inc.

Strategies for Planning and Financing Cooperative Expansions

During this session, the panelists address strategies for existing cooperatives looking to plan and finance the expansion and growth of the business and their facilities, including examples from recent Maine co-ops that have completed their own expansion projects. 10/25/23 Panelists: Chris Linder – Loan & Outreach Officer, Cooperative Fund of the NE Adam Prescott – Shareholder, Bernstein Shur, Business Restructuring & Insolvency Doug Johnson – General Manager, Belfast Community Co-op Kevin Gadsby – General Manager, Blue Hill Co-op

Strengthening the Cooperative Economy: Practical Tips for Current and Prospective Co-ops

During this session, the panelists discuss best practices and policies in human resources for cooperative employees, managers, directors, and others as the cooperative business expands and adds more employees, with a focus on Maine law. Panelists: Tara Walker – Shareholder, Bernstein Shur, Labor & Employment John Crane – General Manager, Portland Food Co-op

The Power of Placemaking

Explore the unique role of community-led placemaking initiatives in supporting individual and community wellbeing, and use this evidence to amplify and make the case for your placemaking work. This project, developed in partnership with Happy Cities, demonstrates how relatively small amounts of funding can go a long way in strengthening social ties and collective wellbeing.