The Maine Downtown Center

Maine Development Foundation’s Maine Downtown Center (MDC) is a Main Street America® Coordinating Program and was established in 1999. MDC currently has 10 nationally designated Main Street Maine programs, 14 state designated Maine Downtown Affiliate programs, and works with scores of other communities on revitalization and improvement efforts. The program is staffed by Senior Program Director Anne Ball, Program Director Sylvie Piquet, and Program Coordinator Perri Williams.

As a Main Street America® Coordinating Program, Maine Downtown Center is part of a powerful, grassroots network consisting of over 40 Coordinating Programs and over 1,200 neighborhoods and communities across the country committed to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development.

For a comprehensive and current directory of support, programs, and funding for entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and small business owners please visit the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development’s Maine Resource Compass.

We are excited to announce our new CDS funded Entrepreneur Ecosystem Project. This project will support entrepreneurship, innovation and post pandemic economic recovery by strengthening and growing entrepreneurial ecosystems in nine communities. The project is individualized, place-based, and connects to existing and emerging regional and state systems and resources. Participating communities can access resources, reporting, and more at the link HERE.

Main Street Maine

This 40-year-old approach has a reputation as one of the most powerful economic development tools in the nation for vibrant, healthy downtowns.

Maine Downtown Affiliates

MDA is ideal for communities in the early stages of downtown revitalization as well as for those communities working toward achieving “Main Street” designation.

Getting Started

Learn how becoming a Main Street Maine or Downtown Affiliate may be right for your downtown or neighborhood business district.

Entrepreneur Ecosystem Project

This project will support entrepreneurship, innovation and post pandemic economic recovery by strengthening and growing entrepreneurial ecosystems in ten communities.

Events and Programs

Our events and educational programs provide the essential training every community leader must know to boost the local downtown economy and leave a lasting legacy.

Funding Opportunities

MDC regularly seeks funding that will benefit our member communities whether it be for historic preservation, training, technical assistance to small downtown businesses, or many other opportunities as they arise.

Advisory Council

The Maine Downtown Center is grateful for the the critical insight and support of our volunteer Advisory Council.

Resource Library

Relevant case studies, research, webinars and more on issues that downtown organizations work on.

MDC Members Area

The members area contains member data, resources, and documents. It is only open to current MDC Main Street Maine and Maine Downtown Affiliate members.

Learn why MDC Main Street Maine Affiliate Heart of Biddeford won the prestigious Great American Main Street Award in 2022, and how it speaks to the power of MDC’s programming for revitalization.