In September, I was offered an all-expense paid trip to Japan to speak at the inaugural Regional Revitalization Forum in Osaka, representing both Main Street Skowhegan and Main Street America on a global stage. I was one of just five delegates invited from the United States, and the experience is one I will never forget.
Although the trip was a whirlwind with very little downtime to explore, the opportunity to learn, connect, and share our story with leaders from across the world will stay with me for a long time.
Why Japan? Why Skowhegan?
Japan is facing many of the same challenges that small towns across America are facing, including population decline in small towns, aging infrastructure, and the need to reignite economic vitality in once thriving rural communities. The Regional Revitalization Forum was created to spark collaboration, share successful models, and inspire new approaches to local economic development.
Our mission to strengthen communities through preservation-based economic development resonated strongly with the Japanese leaders, business owners, and changemakers who attended the forum. It was a powerful reminder that the values behind our work are universal:
• Invest in people and places
• Celebrate local identity and history
• Empower small businesses and entrepreneurs
• Build community pride and belonging
No matter the country, the heartbeat of a community begins on its main street.
A Whirlwind of Culture, Learning, and Connection
During the week, I had the privilege of:
• Presenting our accomplishments in Skowhegan and our plans for the future to an international audience
• Meeting ambassadors, mayors, community leaders, and policymakers who are shaping Japan’s future
• Visiting Mitoyo, a small community working to revitalize its downtown and waterfront
• Touring the World Expo site and learning about Japan’s innovation and long-term planning
• Attending a Japanese baseball game, a lively and unforgettable experience
• Enjoying incredible food that was fresh, thoughtful, beautifully prepared, and rooted in tradition
Even in the short time we had for cultural experiences, the hospitality and generosity of the people we met stood out above everything else.
A Shared Connection With Nature
One theme that came up again and again in conversations during the forum was the importance of living in harmony with the natural environment. Communities in both Maine and Japan share a deep respect for the outdoors, for access to water, and for the role that rivers and coastlines play in shaping local identity and quality of life.
In Mitoyo, we saw how revitalization efforts embraced the waterfront rather than building over it, much like the work we are doing to reconnect Skowhegan with the Kennebec River. This shared belief that thriving communities are strengthened when people can live, work, and gather alongside nature was a meaningful point of connection. Whether it is fishing along the Kennebec, kayaking on a rural Japanese river, or simply having clean, accessible outdoor spaces for families, the commitment to conserving and celebrating natural assets unites us.
Honored, Inspired, and Energized
I returned home tired, grateful, and filled with a renewed sense of purpose.
I am proud of the work we do in central Maine and incredibly thankful to the volunteers, partners, and community members who make it possible. Our success story is one I feel privileged to share, whether with neighbors here at home or with leaders across the world.
