HOB’s Top 10 Summer Accomplishments

    Yes, Maine summers beg us to find beach time, vacations, and a little slower pace. But, we wanted to let you know that Heart of Biddeford has kept the wheels turning, and here are our Top 10 Summer Accomplishments: 

    1. Created and printed a new downtown map that includes all the downtown and mill businesses (now available at many downtown businesses and HOB).
    2. Held 7 weeks of Music in the Park (this Wednesday will make 8), already bringing more than 700 people downtown.
    3. Coordinated the Adopt-a-Park program and plant watering through the downtown.
    4. Participated in the monthly ArtWalks and Greene Street Family Fun Fest, and hosted the monthly Entrepreneurs Group and Donut Club.
    5. Facilitated the Main Street Makeover Program, incentivizing property owners to make improvements to their buildings.
    6. Kept the businesses, residents and visitors up to date through 14 “SeeingOrange” construction updates. Handed out orange candy to people stuck in slow traffic.
    7. Gathered and shared information about downtown parking issues through our website and social media.
    8. Served as first point of contact for five prospective business and building owners, helping to smooth the start-up process.
    9. Sent weekly e-newsletters that are opened by 500 people/week, added 50 “likes” to HOB’s Facebook page, built interest in the Eat Biddeford Facebook page, and launched our new website which features weekly blogs. Info about businesses, non-profits, involvement opportunities and more are getting out to the public.
    10. Went into high gear planning the Sept. 19 RiverJam Festival, partnered with angelrox/suger for the Oct. 3 Biddeford Ball, and collaborated with awesome partners (the Cities of Biddeford and Saco, DDC, Saco Main Street, the Chamber, UNE, and more) to plan the Sept. 19 “Two Cities: One River Bridge Dedication and Celebration.”

    As part of the National Main Street Center (under our state coordinator, the Maine Downtown Center), Heart of Biddeford understands that it’s not always the big splashy news that makes the difference. But, we hope you are finding these volunteer-driven, incremental efforts are making downtown Biddeford more active, accessible and exciting!

    Photo credit: Peter Raymond