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 With a population of
over 15,000, Waterville boasts several large employers in the growing health
and education industries, including Inland Hospital, MaineGeneral Medical Center, Colby College, and Thomas College. In addition to the educational institutions
located within Waterville, both Kennebec Valley Community College and Unity College are located within a 15 mile radius. The Greater Waterville region is also
home to a diverse mix of stable employers, including T-Mobile, Central Maine
Motors, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Thompson Press, Huhtamaki, and many others.
Located on the banks of the beautiful Kennebec River, downtown Waterville has long served as an important commercial and cultural center
for the Central Maine area. Downtown Waterville contains a unique mix of
shops, restaurants and services. Shoppers can find upscale women’s clothing,
home furnishings, musical instruments, jewelry, Maine-made products, and
more! Dining options include eclectic American fare, authentic Lebanese and
Mexican cuisine, Asian specialties, and fresh seafood, not to mention great
bagels, sandwiches and coffee! Several restaurants offer outdoor dining from
May through October, and many feature live music.
 Downtown
serves as the community center for Waterville and the surrounding area,
offering a wide variety of cultural events and activities throughout the
year, including year-round arts education opportunities, one of the oldest
sidewalk art shows in the state, the Taste of Greater Waterville, and the
Maine International Film Festival. A remarkable number of downtown
restaurants and businesses display the work of local artists and artisans.
Downtown is also home to the Waterville Opera House, which offers
entertainment opportunities including live theater, dance, comedy, and
music! The Waterville Public Library, which is located in a beautiful early
twentieth century building, provides a valuable resource to residents and
visitors alike.
A stroll down Main Street reveals unique architecture from the
late nineteenth and early twentieth century, offering a glimpse into the past
and creating a sense of welcome and charm. Six structures in downtown Waterville are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including Waterville
Opera House/City Hall (1902) and the remarkable Two Cent Bridge (1903). Along with the beautiful architecture, downtown also offers a variety of
pleasant public spaces, where visitors can enjoy a picnic lunch, read their
favorite book, or just soak up some sun on a nice day. Those spaces include Castonguay Square, Veterans Memorial Park, and two “pocket parks” on Main Street.
 Since being designated a Main
Street Maine community, downtown Waterville’s revitalization efforts have
resulted in:
•18 net new businesses
•$5.4 million in new public and
private downtown investment
•Over 11,800 volunteer hours
•104 net new jobs
•For every $1 invested in the Waterville Main Street program, an additional $6.5 have been invested in downtown Waterville
For more
information on the Waterville Main Street, please go to their website.
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