Downtown Signage Grant Program
...to provide financial assistance to downtown business owners located within the established Downtown District who wish to install new business signage on the exterior of their buildings. more...

Incentive for Downtown Business Creation and Expansion
...a Downtown Forgivable Loan Program to provide financial assistance to business and property owners interested in creating new businesses or significantly expanding existing businesses within the established Downtown District. more...

Waterville Main Street celebrates 10 years
Check out the special WMSt 10th Anniversary insert published in the Morning Sentinel on September 21. Download the 3MB PDF.


- Barrels Community Market
- Freshwater Arts
- Meet Me Downtown Business Profiles
- Downtown Historic Walking Guide
- Downtown Partners 2011-12



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Mission | Main Street Maine | Board of Directors | Staff | Committees

Our Mission

Waterville Main Street will advance efforts to develop the Downtown area into a thriving, energetic, commercial, social, cultural and entertainment destination.

A Main Street Maine Community

Waterville was designated as a Main Street Maine community in 2001 by the Maine Downtown Center and is accredited annually by the National Main Street Center, which is a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  The Main Street Four Point Approach is a comprehensive and incremental approach to downtown revitalization and is being implemented in over 2,000 towns and cities throughout the country. Visit www.mdf.org/downtown for more information on the Main Street Maine program.

Waterville Main Street Board of Directors (2011-12)

  • President: Patrick Michaud, CPA, Nicholson & Associates
  • Vice-President: Erik Thomas, Owner, Digital ImageWorks
  • Treasurer: David Holden, Bangor Savings Bank
  • Secretary: Ron Ducharme (Chair, Design Committee), Attorney, Wheeler & Arey
  • Regina Coppens, Co-owner, Let's Talk Language School
  • Shannon Coro, Administrator, Lakewood Continuing Care Center
  • Luke Duplessis, Co-owner, Mainely Brews Restaurant & Brewhouse
  • Lori Gervais, Ad Representative, Morning Sentinel
  • Jay Hanson, General Manager, Mountain Wireless Broadcasting
  • Kimberly Lindlof, President & C.E.O, Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce
  • Lisa Oakes (Chair, Promotion Committee), Graphic Designer, James D. Julia, Auctioneers & Lavender Designs
  • Gary Poulin (Co-Chair, Economic Restructuring), EZ to Use Big Book
  • Ellen Richmond, Owner, Children's Book Cellar
  • Mike Roy, Waterville City Manager
  • Paul Spangle, Assistant Director of Campus Life, Colby College
  • Emilie van Eeghen, Vice President Behavioral Health Sciences, MaineGeneral Health
  • Ken Vlodek (Chair, Organization Committee), Owner, Yardgoods Center

Waterville Main Street Staff

Committees

Economic Restructuring Committee
Monthly Meeting Time: 1st Tuesday, 9:00am (at Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce)
Download Committee Workplan

The job of the Economic Restructuring Committee is to identify new market opportunities for the traditional commercial district, find new uses for historic commercial buildings, and stimulate investment in property. The committee's main tasks include:

  • Learning about the district's current economic condition and identifying opportunities for market growth;
  • Strengthening existing businesses and recruiting new ones;
  • Finding new economic uses for traditional Main Street businesses;
  • Developing financial incentives and capital for building rehabilitations and business development; and
  • Monitoring the economic performance of the district.

Committee Members:
Tammy Rabideau, Chair
Bruce Harrington
Kevin Joseph
Mark Larsen
Kim Lindlof
Don Plourde
Deborah Schmid
Scott Workman
Shannon Haines, Staff

Promotion Committee
Monthly Meeting Time: Last Wednesday, 5:30pm
Download Committee Workplan

The job of the Promotion Committee is to PROMOTE downtown as the center of commerce, culture, and community life for residents and visitors alike. The committee's main tasks include:

  • Understanding the changing market - both potential shoppers and "competition";
  • Identifying downtown assets - including people, buildings, heritage, and institutions;
  • Defining Main Street's market niche - its unique "position" in the marketplace; and finally
  • Creating new image campaigns, retail promotions, special events to bring people into our downtown.

Committee Members:
Lisa Oakes, Chair
Kim Cornforth
Bridget Campbell
Jackie Dalton
Lori Gervais
Laura Holt
Scott McAdoo
Martha McCarthy
Randy Phair
Joan Sanzenbacher
Kate Scott
Shannon Haines, Staff

Design Committee
Monthly Meeting Time: 1st Wednesday, 5:30pm
Download Committee Workplan

The Design Committee plays a key role in shaping the physical image of Main Street as a place that is attractive to shoppers, investors, business owners, and visitors. The committee's main tasks include:

  • Educating others about good design - enhancing the image of each business as well as that of the district;
  • Providing good design advice - encouraging quality improvements to private properties and public spaces;
  • Planning Main Street's development - guiding future growth and shaping regulations; and
  • Motivating others to make changes - creating incentives and targeting key projects.

Committee Members:
Shannon Coro, Chair
Gina Coppens
Suzanne Culver

Luke Duplessis
Gary Green
Lisa Oakes
Shannon Haines, Staff

Organization Committee
Monthly Meeting Time: 3rd Thursday, 9:00am
Download Committee Workplan

The Organization Committee plays a key role in keeping the Waterville Main Street board, committees, staff, and programs in good shape by attracting people and funding to the organization. The committee's main tasks include:

  • Raising Money - for projects and administration, from donations and sponorships;
  • Managing staff and volunteers - by recruiting people, supervising them, and rewarding good work;
  • Promoting the program - to downtown interests and the public;
  • Managing finances - by developing good accounting procedures.

Committee Members:
Ken Vlodek, Chair
Ron Ducharme
David Holden
Pat Michaud
Deborah Schmid
Robert Sezak
Emilie van Eeghen
Shannon Haines, Staff


Adams & Worth

72 Main St.
872-5424

Adams & Worth is set-up like a small home, where visitors to the kitchenette will find utensils, placemats, and dishware... more

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
Corner of Elm and Park Streets

Rev. Jeremiah Chaplin, the first president of Colby College, formed this church in 1818. Because it was illegal for a religious group to own property, an organization of pew holders was formed. ... Learn more.

For every $100 spent at a locally owned business, $45 stays in the local economy, creating jobs and expanding the city's tax base. For every $100 spent at a national chain or franchise store, only $14 remains in the community.