Processing Your Payment

Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.

3 hours ago

Ellsworth becomes a nationally accredited Main Street community

A scene in downtown Ellsworth shows folks shopping and stores and restaurants. Photo / Courtesy, No Umbrellas Media LLC Ellsworth is the 11th Maine town to achieve the Main Street America accreditation.
By Alexis Wells

The city of Ellsworth and a local group, Heart of Ellsworth, have joined the Main Street America program and achieved national Main Street accreditation, the Maine Downtown Center announced Tuesday.

Ellsworth is the 11th Maine community to achieve the accreditation. According to the center, which serves as a Main Street coordinating program, the accreditation recognizes a community’s long-term commitment grassroots revitalization, fostering strong public-private partnerships, nurturing economic opportunity, and actively preserving historic places.

Ellsworth, which has a year-round population of 8,531, has become a hub for retail, serving Downeast communities and Mount Desert Island. The city also has numerous commercial and residential construction projects underway. 

The construction activity grew substantially last year, with an investment of $85.5 million in 570,000 square feet of  new builds, expansions, improvements and renovations across the city.

“Heart of Ellsworth and the entire Ellsworth community are overjoyed and so proud to receive this accreditation,” says Cara Romano, executive director of Heart of Ellsworth.

“We look forward to a whole new level of growth as we continue to work with the MDC  team and Main Street America to further strengthen our economic infrastructure, attract more investment and new businesses into our community, and bring more visitors to our beautiful city.”

The accreditation process helps communities identify their strengths and challenges and find resources to continue improvements. Main Streets also gain access to an extensive peer network within the state and nationally.    

“It has been wonderful to support Heart of Ellsworth on its journey to accreditation," said Anne Ball, senior program director of MDC. “Not only does Ellsworth have a walkable downtown with many locally owned businesses, historic buildings and sites such as the Old Hancock Jail, and a riverwalk under development, they also have a strong organization leading the revitalization effort. 

“The Heart of Ellsworth should be recognized for their leadership and their broad-based community support and their commitment to downtown revitalization,” she continued. “We are so excited during our 25th anniversary year to bring on our 11th Main Street. We look forward to continuing to work with Heart of Ellsworth as they start their next chapter as an accredited Main Street.” 

MDC works with 13 Maine Downtown Affiliate Communities and four municipal communities. Some are in the early stages of revitalization and many are working toward achieving national Main Street accreditation.

Sign up for Enews

Most Recent

Most Recent

0 Comments

Order a PDF