SBS Carbon Copy Named 2013 Downtown Business of the Year

On May 16th, downtown business owners and employees, volunteers, and City officials gathered to celebrate downtown's outstanding independent businesses and recognize the many volunteers working to further Waterville's downtown revitalization efforts. SBS Carbon Copy was named Downtown Business of the Year and owners Martha & Bobby Stevenson were presented with the award by Mayor Karen Heck, WMSt Board President Emilie van Eeghen and Jennifer Olsen, Waterville Main Street Executive Director.

Waterville Main Street also presented the Board Member of the Year Award to Jennifer Strode and recognized Kevin Dutil as Volunteer of the Year.

Waterville Main Street celebrates 10 Year Anniversary!

Founded in September of 2001, Waterville Main Street is celebrating 10 years of downtown revitalization success. Thanks to the advertising support of dozens of area businesses, Waterville Main Street worked with the Morning Sentinel to publish a special 10th Anniversary insert on September 21.

Download the PDF (3MB) to read about Waterville Main Street's first 10 years.

Downtown Forgivable Loan Program offers Incentive for Downtown Business Creation and Expansion

The City of Waterville has established 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, which is bounded by Union Street on the north, Elm Street on the west, Spring Street (including the Hathaway Creative Center) on the south, and the Kennebec River on the east. Through this new program, business and property owners are eligible to apply for loans ranging from $15,000 to $50,000 to fund physical improvements, including façade work and interior renovations, equipment, and other fixed assets. Priority will be given to projects that fill first floor vacancies and align with the target business uses identified through consumer, employee, and business surveys conducted by Waterville Main Street. While structured much like a traditional loan, these loans will be forgivable, meaning that borrowers will make interest only payments and – provided that they meet the obligations established in their application regarding job creation and filling of vacant space – the principal of the loan will be forgiven over time.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, but funding is limited and the process will be competitive. For more information, download the program info sheet and Background Data Form and/or contact Jennifer Olsen at Waterville Main Street at 207-680-2055.