At one time Biddeford's textile mills employed as many as 12,000 people, but as happened elsewhere, the industry experienced a long period of decline. In 2004, Doug Sanford purchased the historic North Dam Mill, and began adaptive reuse of the building.
Mayor Wallace Nutting called a meeting of people interested in the downtown area to see what could be done to address its challenges. David Flood was asked to lead a group that researched the feasibility of becoming a Main Street community. Attorney Ed Caron saw to incorporating the organization, Renee O’Neil came up with the name, and Donna Tippett was hired as a part-time employee, followed by Donna Dion. David Flood was the first Board President, and served in that role for 5 years.
Rachael Weyand became the first Director of the Heart of Biddeford, and served in that role for five years.
"Chalk on the Walk" was HOB’s first major event. This large, successful arts event was conceived of and organized by Eileen Foley, who went on to chair both the Promotions and Design Committees.
The first downtown Trick-or-Treating event began an annual tradition - today known as the "Creepy Crawl" - that attracts hundreds of kids and families to Main Street every Halloween.
With Megan Rochello serving as the second board President, HOB’s Director Rachel Weyand pursued a major grant from the Orton Family Foundation to implement the Community Heart & Soul engagement process. HOB worked closely with the City of Biddeford and hosted listening events that provided hundreds of local citizens the opportunity to talk about “What Matters Most” to them. The resulting Downtown Master Plan became part of the City’s Comprehensive Plan and guided HOB’s strategy for years to come.
In 2006, Tammy Ackerman moved to Biddeford and became a constant influence in the downtown, including serving as HOB’s third Board President and designing HOB’s long-lasting logo. In 2009, Tammy, along with Joshua Bodwell and Stephen Abbott, started Engine, which fueled Biddeford’s creative economy.
The final closure of the mills' last remaining textile company occurred in 2009. A year later, Doug Sanford purchased the buildings from Westpoint Stevens and named the complex the Pepperell Mill Campus. Today these buildings are filled with hundreds of residential units and over 100 businesses providing numerous local jobs.
Delilah Poupore was hired as Executive Director in 2011, bringing experience in community development and community equity to her role.
The Heart & Soul community engagement process spurred initiation of the “Main Street Challenge” business competition; a two-city branding effort with the City of Saco; two community murals; and the first River Jam music festival on the Saco River, celebrating the opening of the pedestrian bridge. In 2012 and 2013 the "Main Street Challenge" yielded two businesses that would go on to serve as major downtown anchors: Elements: Books • Coffee • Beer and (the much-beloved but now closed) Biscuits & Company.
During a city referendum on the sale of the Maine Energy Recovery Company (MERC), community feedback from the development of the Downtown Master Plan was used to advocate for complementary development, making downtown Biddeford better for families and more attractive to businesses. Closure of MERC has been tied to substantial economic growth in the downtown and mill district.
Following several years as Chair of the Design Committee, Holly Culloton became HOB’s next Board President, where she also initiated and shepherded the Adopt-a-Park program.
Members of HOB committees utilized the Main Street 4-Point approach to systematically address revitalization. The Promotions Committee wrapped up ten years of "Chalk on the Walk" then began both the River Jam Festival and Restaurant Week. The Business Enhancement Committee shepherded the "Main Street Challenge," Entrepreneurship Week, and more in-depth business outreach. The Design Committee took on the Adopt-a-Park program, enhanced flower boxes downtown and updated holiday lighting designs. The Organization Committee implemented committee/board recruitment and successful fundraising events such as the 5K Road Race and a spring concert at City Theater.
Amy Grohman became HOB’s next Board President, after serving for three years as Chair of the Organization Committee. With Amy’s steady leadership for six years, HOB pursued sustainable development in Biddeford’s downtown.
HOB was asked by local veterans organizations to coordinate the annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day parades, which HOB now does each year in collaboration with the Cities of Biddeford and Saco and veterans organizations.
By 2016 HOB hit its stride, seeing prolific activity by the board, staff and committees. With an Americorp Vista, HOB was able to coordinate major community volunteer events with Biddeford Middle School and the University of New England. Other events united the community and drew attention to the downtown, ranging from the Community Soup-er, a Menorah Lighting, the MainStreetMaine.org statewide marketing platform, and growth of the River Jam Festival.
HOB rallied the community to compete for a preservation grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation/American Express to bring the clock tower on City Hall back to working order. Pulling ahead of major cities across the country, Biddeford community spirit prevailed to win the grant. The clock is now working again, and final repairs of the facade around the clock itself will be completed in 2024.
Denise Desrochers took the helm of the organization as its sixth Board President in 2019. Denise shepherded HOB through the worst of COVID-19 pandemic and ensured that the organization remained strong during unprecedented challenges.
After 15 years in operation, HOB continued to fine-tune its operations. Despite the impact of COVID-19 on all communities, Biddeford’s well-connected downtown showed a resilient response to difficult conditions, including six new businesses opening during the pandemic.
During this time HOB built on its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by creating a Statement of Commitment, as well as engaging in a training, outreach and planning process related to equity and inclusion.
In 2022 Main Street America granted Heart of Biddeford the prestigious Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA), which recognizes communities for their excellence in comprehensive preservation-based commercial district revitalization. The 2022 GAMSA designations, sponsored by The Hartford, were presented at the opening plenary for the Main Street Now Conference in Richmond, VA.
Selected by a national jury of community development professionals and leaders in the fields of economic development and historic preservation, Biddeford was recognized for its vibrant small business environment and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
In 2022, Joe McKenney, lifelong Biddeford resident and Chair of the Promotions Committee, agreed to take on the role of Board President. Possessing an intimate knowledge of all aspects of HOB, as well as relationships across the city stemming from both his photography business and service on numerous city commissions, Joe has supported leadership and staff growth and helped HOB prepare for new challenges ahead.
In 2024, Heart of Biddeford celebrated two major milestones: it's 20th anniversary and the unveiling of a refreshed brand identity! The brand update was led by HOB's Strategic Communications Committee and you can learn more about the process here!
In 2025 Heart of Biddeford launched a new arts initiative called "Art of Biddeford." This effort included formally adopting arts into HOB's mission and creating a variety of new programming to support the arts in Biddeford.
In the spring of 2026, we weclomed Larry Weyand as Art of Biddeford's Program Director, helping to guide exhibitions, events, partnerships, and opportunities for artists while advancing Art of Biddeford’s mission as an organization built by artists, for artists.
