National Main Street Supports Local Businesses
A bustling downtown in Ellsworth, ME. Photo by No Umbrella Media LLC.
Heart of Ellsworth is thrilled to announce that we have become an accredited National Main Street Community, thanks to the unwavering support and collaborative efforts of our municipality, volunteers, board, and staff. This designation is a reason to celebrate, especially for small businesses and entrepreneurs, who will benefit significantly from this national accreditation.
Since 2016, Heart of Ellsworth has collaborated with others to champion artistic, cultural, educational, economic, environmental, and historical activities in Ellsworth. Our goal is simple: to foster a vibrant and strong community. Our collaborative efforts include working with local groups like the City of Ellsworth, Ellsworth Public Library, Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce, and others to preserve and improve our downtown assets.
In the last eight years, downtown Ellsworth has changed remarkably: we now have a 3% storefront vacancy rate, down from 50% in 2016. This rate proves the effectiveness of collaborative and focused revitalization efforts.
Photos of Downtown Ellsworth by No Umbrella Media, LLC.
A Main St. America designation makes downtown appealing and supports local businesses through grants, resources, and expertise. For instance, Main Street communities gain access to valuable funding opportunities like Community Development Block Grants. These Grants, administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), play a crucial role in supporting community and economic development at the local level.
As an Main St. affiliate community, we were awarded the Entrepreneur Ecosystem Building in Rural Maine Grant. This grant allowed us to create a page on our website dedicated to entrepreneurs (Entrepreneur Resource Hub), develop a monthly e-newsletter to share resources, events, and support for business owners and entrepreneurs in the Ellsworth area, and to hire a Program Coordinator in January 2024.
Since 1980, Main Street programs have generated a staggering $79 billion in investment nationwide, establishing nearly 144,000 businesses and creating more than 640,000 jobs. This proven model encourages independent, locally-owned shops to thrive and reinvest in the local economy.
Ellsworth's historic buildings, diverse dining options, locally owned shops, and cultural attractions make it a unique year-round destination. Our rich cultural resources, including the Ellsworth Public Library, The Grand Theater, Courthouse Gallery, and Woodlawn Museum, are a source of pride for our community. Unlike some other nearby coastal towns, most of our downtown businesses remain open year-round, capturing tourists even in the off-season.
Ellsworth Public Library - Photo by No Umbrella Media
We are a hard-working community dedicated to supporting each other and ensuring our town is a place to visit, shop, work in, and call home. Visitors are drawn to places with a strong sense of community, and a vibrant downtown creates an inviting atmosphere where businesses and people can flourish together.
Michelle Beal, an Ellsworth resident and the Chair of the Ellsworth City Council, shared, "The Main Street designation is an invaluable asset in supporting the City's continued growth and vibrancy, especially in its downtown area. As the business and professional hub of Hancock County, this designation is a monumental step in ensuring the City becomes a model for work-life balance. It amplifies the pride Ellsworth has in its historic, walkable downtown and riverfront."
Heart of Ellsworth is overjoyed and proud to receive this Main Street America Designation. We extend our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you who has sought our services and contributed time and effort to make this designation possible. We couldn't have achieved this without your invaluable support and dedication!
See Ellsworth’s newly posted profile page on Main Street Maine’s website, and don’t hesitate to contact us if you want your businesses featured. Learn more about Main Street America.