Aerial photo courtesy of Sam Horine
One of only 11 nationally accredited Main Street Communities in the state of Maine, Main Street Skowhegan (MSS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the revitalization of Skowhegan.
Established in 2005 to enhance the local economy and improve the quality of life for residents, MSS is now leading major economic and community development initiatives in the central Maine region by actively collaborating with and engaging hundreds of public/private partners, local stakeholders, government entities, and community members.
Our Mission
Our mission is to celebrate Skowhegan’s rich heritage while achieving our brightest future as a thriving economic, cultural, and recreational community where residents enjoy a high quality of life.
Our Vision
Our vision for the future of Skowhegan is directly from the Skowhegan Strategic Plan for Community Transformation: A destination for visitors from Maine and beyond, Skowhegan is known for its locally sourced food, beautiful and active riverfront, and vibrant cultural scene. The economy is strong and diverse, and residents are happy and healthy. Skowhegan is a place community members are proud of, youth choose to stay or return to, and visitors never want to leave.
Our Commitment
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core tenets of thriving communities. Our nation’s collective commitment to these tenets is imperative for the future success of our society and our economy. To that end, we believe Skowhegan is a place for everyone. At the core of our approach to community revitalization is a commitment to shared prosperity, equitable access to opportunity, and inclusive engagement. Main Street Skowhegan models and champions this vision through our actions and programs.
Our Goals, Strategies, and Initiatives
MSS is committed to realizing the goal of the Skowhegan strategic plan: Skowhegan is a thriving economic, cultural, and recreational destination where residents enjoy a high quality of life.
We’re currently working to diversify and grow the economy via the following strategies:
- Attract a broad range of new businesses
- Support existing businesses to encourage growth
- Expand Skowhegan’s agricultural food hub
- Cultivate programs to engage, support, and retain youth workforce
- Invest in infrastructure
- Enhance recreation and promote natural resources
MSS has a robust history of launching and managing impactful community initiatives that are designed to diversify and grow the economy while capitalizing on regional assets and resources.
Community Transformation through Outdoor Recreation
MSS is spearheading a comprehensive approach to community transformation through outdoor recreation by weaving together infrastructure development, programming & gear, mentorship and third spaces for youth, and career pathways—all with an eye toward inclusion and equity.
MSS is managing development of and fundraising for the Skowhegan River Park, which will redevelop the industrial downtown river corridor into an accessible outdoor recreation asset with an expanded trail network and enhanced whitewater. The river park will not only benefit community members through improved river access, free recreation opportunities, and new civic infrastructure, but it will also bolster the regional economy by attracting visitors, businesses, and new residents.
In an effort to encourage outdoor activity in preparation for river access and trail development, improve health and wellness outcomes, and provide free opportunities for connecting with nature and across socioeconomic barriers, Main Street Skowhegan launched the Skowhegan Outdoors AmeriCorps Program in 2019. Through this program, the organization provides free, guided outdoor recreation activities, training, and gear for area residents; hosts youth-focused programming and summer day camps focused on whitewater kayaking, mountain biking, and hiking; and works with several statewide partners, including Wabanaki Public Health and Diversify Whitewater, to increase access to outdoor recreation among underserved populations. The Skowhegan Outdoors Basecamp serves as home base for the Skowhegan Outdoors program, a gear-lending library, and third space for youth.
The Skowhegan Outdoors AmeriCorps Program was founded in 2019 and has the goal of providing free and inclusive programs, training, and gear for all area residents, regardless of socioeconomic status, we have or hope to provide the following:
Since its inception, Skowhegan Outdoors has guided 870 programs, served 6,310 participants, provided more than 3,000 youth experiences, and established a gear library with 200+ items available for residents to borrow.
Business & Entrepreneurial Support
The organization also provides business planning support and programming through its Skowhegan Center for Entrepreneurship. In 2024, the organization’s Business Lab and Pitch Competition provided support to 5 women-owned businesses and created a Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge. Over 3 cohorts, Business Lab has assisted 26 entrepreneurs, representing 24 businesses and 48 jobs. Of the business entities, 14 are LLCs, 7 are sole proprietorships, 2 are unknown, and 1 is a nonprofit.
In addition, Main Street Skowhegan is leading the development of The Kitchen at 185, a project that will drive food innovation in the Central Maine region. Components include a shared-use commercial kitchen for food entrepreneurs, service programming for incubation, community programming for residents and visitors, co-packing to add value to surplus farm products, and job training to support career pathways and workforce development in the food industry. On an annual basis, once the kitchen is completed, an estimated three to five businesses are expected to graduate to their own storefronts, restaurants, and production facilities, generating additional jobs and private investment.
EDA Recompete Pilot Program
In December 2023, a regional coalition led by MSS, secured an Economic Development Administration Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program Phase 1 Strategy Development Grant of $425,000 to create and connect people to good jobs. In addition, the coalition was invited as one of 22 national finalists—out of more than 500 applicants—to apply for up to $50 million in Phase 2 Implementation funding in the spring of 2024.
In preparation for Recompete Phase 2 submission there were 50 community meetings with 274 stakeholders who helped inform the overall plan approaches. As lead applicant, Main Street Skowhegan helped bring together a coalition of 50 partners at the regional, state, and national level.
While the Recompete Phase 2 grant request wasn’t funded in this round, MSS is forging ahead with several projects that will help revitalize the region and reduce the prime-age employment gap.
Events and Visitor Attraction
As a Main Street organization, Main Street Skowhegan organizes and hosts several events throughout the year that attract visitors, drive tourism, and create a positive impact for the local economy. Those events include Somerset SnowFest and Skijor Skowhegan, River Fest, Dinner in the Park, Brew Fest, #ShopSmall Week, and SKOW-Whoville. Additionally, Main Street Skowhegan plays a role in co-hosting the Build Maine conference. In 2018, Main Street Skowhegan coordinated the Skowhegan Moose Festival, and contributed to breaking a Guinness World Record for “Most people moose calling simultaneously”.
Volunteers
In 2023, Main Street Skowhegan engaged 223 volunteers, totaling 1,283.5 volunteer hours, which were worth an estimated value of $39,210.93. In addition to serving as board members and program instructors, volunteer activities include: serving as parking and gate attendants, assisting with event registration and check in, serving as bartenders, judges, time-keepers, assisting with event set up, information dissemination, staffing information tables, and maintaining the Triangle Garden, participating with community service, and trail maintenance.
Regional Collaboration
As the organization has grown and deepened partnerships with other economic and community development entities, MSS has become a leader in central Maine. Partners are currently working on several initiatives that will positively impact the region and state, including business support and entrepreneurial ecosystem development; visitor, business, and talent attraction via destination development and branding; and asset-based, boots-on-the ground workforce and economic mobility planning.
The Main Street Movement
In the 1980s, the National Main Street Center of the National Trust for Historic Preservation developed one of the most successful models for place-based economic development. It has since become a nationwide network. We are one of 11 nationally accredited Main Street Communities in the state of Maine.
