Mission Statement
The Heart of Biddeford, in partnership with the City of Biddeford, the business community, property owners, and residents, fosters economic development and improves the downtown and quality of life within its boundaries by supporting existing businesses, attracting new businesses, promoting the downtown through events, and working to beautify the urban core.
Description
We are a volunteer-driven organization staffed by an Executive Director and an Office Manager. We work with the City’s various departments and the City Council, the Downtown Development Commission, City Theater, Engine, McArthur Public Library, Public Access TV, and all of the downtown businesses and nonprofits, as well as Biddeford’s wonderful community volunteers.
The Maine Downtown Center’s core program is Main Street Maine, which is a proven Four-Point Approach to downtown revitalization developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1980 and is currently used in 44 states in more than 1,200 communities. Currently, ten communities have achieved and maintained Main Street Maine designation: Augusta, Bath, Belfast, Biddeford, Brunswick, Gardiner, Rockland, Saco, Skowhegan, and Waterville.
As a unique economic development tool, the Main Street Four-Point Approach is the foundation for local initiatives to revitalize their districts by leveraging local assets--from cultural or architectural heritage to local enterprises and community pride.
The four points of the Main Street approach work together to build a sustainable and complete community revitalization effort. The four points are 1) Organization 2) Promotions 3) Design and 4) Business Enhancement.
