Welcome to Main Street Skowhegan

Main Street Skowhegan, (MSS) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization focused on revitalizing downtown Skowhegan. It is made up of volunteers from the greater Skowhegan area wanting to make their downtown a better place. The organization is run by 1 full time employee, a 13 member Board of Directors, and tons of community volunteers working on various committees and projects.

For More, be sure to see our Talking Points and Answers For MSS Donor Visits. Click Here.

Who is Main Street Skowhegan?

Over 120 individuals, 16 service organizations and 80 businesses and non-profits who have donated over 20,000 hours since 2005 supporting the efforts to revitalize Skowhegan’s downtown.

What revitalization approach is MSS using?

In the 1980ss, the National Main Street Center of the National Historic Preservation developed one of the most successful approaches to revitalizing downtowns in both urban and rural areas. MSS is using this Four Point Approach to encourage economic development within the context of historic preservation, that is appropriate for today’s market place.

For more information about the National Main Street Center click here.

With a proven methodology of revitalizing traditional commercial districts, it encourages economic development that is tailored to meet the needs and opportunities in Skowhegan. Success of MSS and revitalization depends upon local volunteers joining committees to implement projects in four key areas (see committee page for more details about areas):

• Organization
• Promotion
• Design
• Economic Revitalization

 (To achieve long-term sustainability, all four points must be balanced and continually strengthened.)

How will success be achieved?

The Main Street Four Point Approach will succeed only when combined with its eight principles. 

Comprehensive: a balance of constant initiatives of the four points is necessary for establishing community support and developing a lasting progress.  

Incremental: a continuation of small projects will provide long-term resolutions to complex problems.  

Self-help: only local leadership can properly foster sustainable community involvement, entrepreneurism, and commitment to downtown revitalization. 
Public/Private Partnership: success of revitalization derives from the support and expertise of both the public and private sectors.   

Identifying and capitalizing on existing assets: local assets provide the foundation for creating goals to empower key stakeholders to recognize, utilize, and enhance their unique downtown charm.  

Quality: MSS in every aspect must provide quality work.  

Change: it is essential for MSS to help create a paradigm shift that alters public perception and practices to support and sustain downtown revitalization.  
Action-oriented: frequent visible changes in activities and physical appearances of the downtown will reinforce the perception of positive change. 

Is MSS a branch of town government?

No. MSS is a separate nonprofit organization and the MSS executive director is not a town employee.  

How does MSS receive its funding?

The operational budget is funded by donations from local businesses, individuals, municipality, and fundraising events. 

Can anyone volunteer for MSS?

YES! There are plenty of opportunities to help. Join one of the committees:

Organization Committee – We can use folks who like to organize fun(d) raisers, or just stuff envelopes and keep the office humming.

Promotion Committee – seeks new ways to market the downtown. Got a great idea for a retail promotion or special event? Help out at the popular Farmers’ Market, Kneading Conference, Tent Days, Holiday Stroll!

Design Committee – pays attention to physical appearances and cares about preserving our downtown assets. Do you have a passion for historic preservation?

Economic Restructuring Committee – help local business thrive and prosper. Do you have a knack for business recruiting? 

Volunteers are routinely offered opportunities for free training in the work of these committees through MSS’s affiliation as a Maine Street Community via the Maine Downtown Center.

For more information, please contact us. Click Here