The renaissance of the greater central Maine region is underway; downtowns are under redevelopment, local property owners and new developers are investing, and businesses and entrepreneurs are moving to the region, however many challenges remain.
Partners Main Street Skowhegan, the Central Maine Growth Council, and the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce are working collaboratively to overcome regional challenges and spur economic and community revitalization by focusing on asset-based, community-driven development.
Several years ago, it became apparent that collaboration would drive revitalization at a much faster pace than it would it if communities were working in silos. Instead of competing for resources, we’re partnering to attract and secure federal, state, and private philanthropic dollars to catalyze regional change.
Timeline of Collaboration
Fall 2020: Central Maine Growth Council awarded federal 2020 Build to Scale Venture Challenge funding to develop a regional hub-and-spoke innovation hub that powers a thriving rural economy by harnessing the power and digital skills of the area’s students, graduates, academic facility, and business owners.
Fall 2021: Central Maine Growth Council launches Dirigo Labs, a regional tech accelerator, as the hub of central Maine innovation.
Winter 2022: Main Street Skowhegan launches the Skowhegan Center for Entrepreneurship, a spoke of the regional innovation hub and a program that provides support to local, early stage entrepreneurs.
Spring – Fall 2022: Regional partners host inaugural pitch competitions.
Winter 2023: Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Partners group official formed; quarterly meetings held to prioritize collaboration.
Fall 2023: Main Street Skowhegan, Central Maine Growth Council, and Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce awarded $484,500 from the Maine Office of Tourism to develop a destination development master plan and brand strategy for the central Maine region.
Winter 2023: Revitalization of Central Maine Coalition, led by Main Street Skowhegan, awarded $425,111 in Phase 1 EDA Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program; coalition invited to apply for Phase 2 funding.
Spring 2024: Main Street Skowhegan, Central Maine Growth Council, and Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce hire CSL International and Garrand Moehlenkamp to create regional destination development master plan and brand strategy, form steering committee and kick-off planning process.
Spring 2024: Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Partners host series of pitch competitions.
Summer 2024: Main Street Skowhegan, Central Maine Growth Council, and Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce host familiarization tour, stakeholder interviews, and focus groups to inform destination development work and gather community input.
Fall 2024: Revitalization of Central Maine Coalition partners work together to implement Phase 1 Strategy Development Grant.
Fall 2024: Main Street Skowhegan, Central Maine Growth Council, and Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce launch resident and visitor survey to inform destination development work and gather community input.
