1. Biddeford A proud city rising where the water falls.

2. Biddeford

3. A Bit about Biddeford  Population 22,000.  Maine’s 6 th Largest City.  On I-95 corridor, 15 miles south of Portland, 39 miles north of Portsmouth, and 90 miles north of Boston.  History as a commercial center of York County and one of the textile centers of the world.  Southern Maine Medical Center and University of England.  Coastal, farm, and urban landscapes.  Always adapting to change, following mill closures.  Strong Franco heritage, and diversifying population.

4. Heart of Biddeford  Main Street Maine Organization (one of 9 in the State, and part of a network of 2,000 cities across the country).  Founded by Mayor Nutting in 2004, and became official Main Street Main community in July 2006.  Part of a much larger picture: Main Downtown Center and National Trust for Historic Preservation.

5. Why Heart of Biddeford Supports Downtown 1. Main Street and the mills are affordable and good for the environment (with their “recycled” historic buildings). 2. Downtown boasts unique independent businesses you can’t find anywhere else.

6. Why Heart of Biddeford Supports Downtown 3. Younger generations are seeking walkable, livable, mixed-use development. 4. Downtown offers a community “experience” not offered by a stereotypical strip mall. 5. Downtown provides necessities like City Hall, the Public Library and the Post Office.

7. How Heart of Biddeford Supports Downtown PROMOTIONS PULSE! Networking events, Chalk on the Walk, Holiday, Easter & Halloween events, support for ArtWalk and Farmer’s Market, coordinated advertising, RiverWalk Coalition, Franco festivals, and *new* 5K Run!

8. How Heart of Biddeford Supports Downtown BUSINESS ENHANCEMENT First point of contact for new businesses, Host entrepreneur workshops and Entrepreneur’s Group, Work with City Economic Development Office and Buy Local, Downtown inventory, *new* Youth Pop-Up Competition and Start-Up Competition.

9. How Heart of Biddeford Supports Downtown DESIGN Design, renovate and maintain public parks (collaboration), Encourage signage, window display and façade improvement, Coordinate flower barrels program, Sponsor Public Art such as “Let’s Talk Trash” project and *new* murals and mosaics.

10. How Heart of Biddeford Supports Downtown ORGANIZATION Internally ensure sustainability of the Heart of Biddeford organization, through financial and human resource management, and external communication.

11. Master Planning Process ✴ Collaboration with City and the Orton Family Foundation ($100,000 grant) ✴ Huge stakeholder involvement ✴ Vision + 100 “Actions” ✴ Woven into City’s Comprehensive Plan & HoB’s Strategic Plan ✴ Awarded implementation funding

12. Why Join Us in Supporting Downtown Biddeford? It benefits the community. It benefits you!

13. How You Can Support Downtown Biddeford  Continue the ways you already do! Plus, read our weekly newsletter, become a Facebook friend, and frequent our downtown events!  Join one of our four committees or volunteer in any way you can!  Be a Sponsor of one of our events at the Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum level!  Become a Community Partner, donating to help Heart of Biddeford achieve all of its goals!

14. What are you willing to do to build a great downtown? Delilah Poupore, Executive Director, Heart of Biddeford director@heartofbiddeford.org (207)284-8520 www.heartofbiddeford.og