Producer/Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Engineer: Amy Browne
Community concerns and opportunities: Revitalizing Maine’s Main Streets
Key Discussion Points:
What trends led each of your communities to undertake downtown revitalization? (malls, on-line retail, cost of buildings and renovations?)
What strategies and programs have you used to advance your downtowns/ main streets??
What is your relationship to local government, chambers of commerce, etc.
What challenges are you encountering? How are you overcoming these challenges? (including labor force development, demographic trends, housing costs, etc.)
What are some of the complementary trends are supporting revitalization efforts?
(historic preservation, local food movement, the arts, people seeking greater authenticity, etc?)
What advice would you have for other communities wanting to revitalize their downtowns? What resources can you suggest (Maine Downtown Center, etc)
Guests:
Brook Minner, Main Street Bucksport
Cara Romano, Heart of Ellsworth
John Burns, Blue Hill Downtown group