MDF’s Maine Downtown Center Announces Annual Awards for 2021 Standout Community Projects and Individuals

HALLOWELL, MAINE — January 27, 2022  — The Maine Downtown Center, a program of Maine Development Foundation (MDF), is thrilled to announce awards for three standout projects and individuals that have made the biggest impacts in our Main Street and Affiliate communities in the past year. The awards were given out during a virtual ceremony this morning.

“These awards highlight the resilience, ingenuity, and creativity of individuals, small business owners, and community organizations who are keeping our downtown economies – and morale – vibrant despite challenges on many fronts, “says Anne Ball, Senior Program Director for MDF’s Maine Downtown Center (MDC). “These efforts are shining examples of inclusivity and quality of place that make Maine’s historic downtowns so magical.”

The Maine Downtown Center (MDC) team gathered nominations for the awards during a competitive process, and proudly announce the following winners:

  • Downtown Hero Award: Heather Pouliot is being recognized for herthree years working tirelessly as Board President of Augusta Downtown Alliance, navigating the group through a complete organizational rebrand, the conversion of Water Street to two-way traffic, and establishing the organization’s first-ever signature event.
  • Downtown Project Award: Friends of Woodfords Corner is being recognizedfor working with the Bicycle Coalition of Maine and their “Imagine People Here Project”, as well as the City of Portland, to install a demonstration project around the intersection of Deering Avenue and Revere Street with the goal of calming traffic flow and creating a safer space for pedestrian crossing.
  • Innovation Award: Rockland Main Street is being recognized fortheir youth engagement work, conducted with the critical support of their Main Street Fellow Maggie Hirshland. Their approach included extensive outreach and collaboration with community members and organizations that had not previously been involved with Main Street.

“When moving back to Maine, I vowed to give back to my community and make it somewhere I would be proud to live and call my home,” says Heather Pouliot, winner of the 2021 Downtown Hero Award. “Please come visit downtown Augusta and see the growth that we have experienced over the last few years!”

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 program.

Another cause for celebration during the event was the announcement of Monson joining MDC as our 14th Maine Downtown Affiliate community. Over the last year, the town participated in a rigorous application process that culminated last week in a virtual site visit with members of the MDC team and advisors from other MDC member communities. A 2019 Entrepreneur Pilot Project community, Monson has developed a pop-up cottage shed for artists and makers to rent, co-working space in the town hall, and is looking to leverage MDC expertise and technical training to develop recreational tourism opportunities and a green belt connecting outdoor spaces, parks, and public art.

The event also featured 21 reflections on 2021, updates from our second cohort of Main Street Fellows, and remarks from MDF CEO Yellow Light Breen on the critical role of Maine’s downtowns. Event participants participated in short breakout discussions with key community members who are leading work on critical issues such as diversity, equity, and inclusion; leadership; and the value of a local currency program.

MDF President & CEO Yellow Light Breen & 2021 Measures of Growth Report Featured on “Maine Calling”

AUGUSTA, ME – January 25, 2022 – MDF President & CEO Yellow Light Breen joined State Economist Amanda Rector and host Jennifer Rooks on “Maine Calling”. The hour-long discussion focused on which economic indicators they’ll be paying close attention to during 2022 – including those highlighted by the recently released Measures of Growth Report. They also delved into the impact of the pandemic in Maine, including inflation, the housing market, unemployment and more.

To listen to the show click here.

MDF’s Maine Downtown Center Accepting Applications for National Park Service REvitalizeME Gen 2 Grants to Support Historic Preservation in Rural Downtowns

HALLOWELL, Maine – January 12, 2022 – The Maine Development Foundation (MDF)’s Maine Downtown Center is accepting applications for grant funding through the National Park Service (NPS) REvitalizeME Gen 2 program. A total of $660,000 is available for historic preservation projects that will foster economic development in 22 downtowns that are current National Main Street or Maine Downtown Affiliate designated programs.

“It’s wonderful that Maine has received this funding again and other downtown projects will benefit from it like we did,” says Michael Miclon, Executive Director, Johnson Hall, Gardiner, Maine, one of six Maine projects awarded funds through the 2020 REvitalizeME round of grants. “The grant enabled us to repair our historic windows and masonry and really close the gap on our 5-year capital campaign for Johnson Hall, which is a downtown community hub and significant historic theater.”

The program provides much-needed financial capacity to encourage infrastructure development and leverage private sector investment increasing the commercial, educational, residential, or civic use and value of the historic properties. Projects may include physical preservation projects for historic sites, architectural/engineering services, and technical assistance. Funding in the form of subgrants will be awarded through a competitive program that will be administered by MDF in partnership with Maine Historic Preservation Commission.

“This National Park Service program not only supports historic preservation, but also fosters economic development in rural communities,” said NPS Deputy Director Shawn Benge. “By funding the rehabilitation of historic properties, rural areas across the country will be improved and strengthened.”

The application deadline is 5:00pm on March 1, 2022. The grant application, list of eligible communities, and requirements are available at https://www.mdf.org.

REvitalizeME Gen 2 is supported through a grant from the Historic Preservation Fund, Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Subgrant Program, as administered by the National Park Service, Department of Interior.

2021 Measures of Growth Report Calls for Innovative Responses to the Ongoing Pandemic and Signals Strategies to ensure a Sustained, Inclusive Recovery

Hallowell, Maine – December 15, 2021 – The nonpartisan Maine Economic Growth Council today released its 27th annual Measures of Growth Report, a comprehensive snapshot of how the state’s economy is performing relative to our long-term goals, to other states, and the U.S. The Report highlights factors shaping the experience of Mainers during this extraordinary time and their impact on our economy. It also points to both reasons for optimism and critical areas of focus to ensure a robust, inclusive recovery.

“This Report provides critical insight into Maine’s economy,” says Steve Von Vogt, Chair of the Maine Economic Growth Council. “We continue to harness Yankee ingenuity, the power of science, innovation, and public-private partnerships to respond to the challenges posed by COVID. Maine business, community, and non-profit leaders of all races and ethnicities continue to join forces privately and publicly to eradicate systemic inequities and build a truly diverse, equitable, and inclusive economy so together Mainers can recover and prosper.”

In total, the 2021 Measures of Growth Report tracks 30 indicators that represent Maine’s assets and areas of challenge. To better reflect current circumstances, the report has a new measure: Greenhouse Gas Emissions, which acknowledges thegrowing impact of climate change on our environment and economy. In addition, we have updated four other indicators to better track critical forces: Broadband Connectivity uses a new data set to track access to high-speed service; Postsecondary Degrees & Credentials now includes valuable non-degree certifications; Entrepreneurship now measures how/if start-ups outpace closures; and Labor Force Participation better tracks in which industries and sectors Mainers are working in – or leaving.

The Council assigns Gold Stars for significant progress in:

  • Prekindergarten Education – In 2020-2021, the share of schools with a pre-K program continued to increase and is now 79%
  • Safety – Maine’s crime rate dropped another 7% in 2020 and is now 46% below the national average – the second lowest in the nation.
  • Water Quality – The water quality of Maine rivers and streams remains far above the U.S. average.

The Council assigns Red Flags for needed attention to:

  • Labor Force – In 2020, Maine’s labor force shrank 3% (20,000 fewer working-age people).
  • Research and Development Expenditures – In 2018, R & D spending in Maine represented only 0.8% of total gross domestic product (GDP), compared to 2.8% nationwide. This ranks Maine 43rd of the 50 states.
  • Broadband Connectivity – COVID highlighted the need for high-speed internet but new data show just 18% of Maine locations have access to truly high-speed service (100 Mbps/100 Mbps).
  • Housing Affordability – In 2020, Maine’s housing affordability index fell 4%. Homeownership costs met or exceeded the affordability threshold in just six of Maine’s 16 counties, and only one county, Franklin, had affordable rental housing.

“The Measures of Growth annual report has long provided valuable information about what we are doing right, where we need to improve, and the trends of progress or decline over time,” says Yellow Light Breen, MDF’s President and CEO. “These indicators reinforce that talent, innovation, and infrastructure must be the focus for strategic investment – while also maintaining public health, a clean environment, and vibrant communities. We look forward to the opportunity to work with policymakers, businesses, and community leaders to stabilize, diversify, and rebuild a Maine economy that is inclusive and sustainable.”

The Maine Economic Growth Council takes a nonpartisan, data-driven approach to presenting an unbiased picture of Maine’s economy and well-being. Measures of Growth is designed to be a resource for policy and decision makers at all levels, helping them to focus their efforts and understand the connections between the key issues affecting the state. Th Council is administered by the Maine Development Foundation (MDF). Council members are jointly appointed by the Governor, Senate President, and Speaker of the House, and represent a broad and diverse cross-section of Maine’s key constituencies.

Click here to read the Full Report

Click here to read the Executive Summary

Updates and Resources from the Maine Downtown Center | October, 2021

Click here to access the MDC newsletter dated Friday, October 8, 2021.

Our latest newsletter includes information about the power of collaboration, Maine Preservation and 1772 Foundation matching grants, T-Mobile Hometown Grants, the seven types of rest, upcoming trainings and events, and more!

Updates and Resources from the Maine Downtown Center | September, 2021

Click here to access the MDC newsletter dated Friday, September 3, 2021.

Our latest newsletter includes information about the America Walks’ Community Change Grant, recruitment for the 2021/22 Main Street Fellows program, upcoming trainings and events, and more!

Updates and Resources from the Maine Downtown Center | August, 2021

Click here to access the MDC newsletter dated Friday, August 6, 2021.

Our latest newsletter includes information about a the Historic Commercial District Revolving Fund, recruitment for the 2021/22 Main Street Fellows program, upcoming trainings and events, and more!

Updates and Resources from the Maine Downtown Center | July, 2021

Click here to access the MDC newsletter dated Friday, July 2, 2021.

Our latest newsletter includes information about a new report of COVID-19 case studies from MDC, recreational trails funding, edible landscapes, upcoming trainings and events, and more!