Main Street Matters

Photo:

.

It is important for Norway Downtown to have a great organization, wonderful promotions, good design goals and economic tools. However, it only can do this by forming partnerships.

Just as Main Street businesses depend on the support of the community, Norway Downtown depends on cooperation and collaboration to achieve mutual goals with partners that benefit from the revitalization of Main Street.

As Norway Downtown sets goals for 2013, many demand partnerships to achieve success. For example, Norway Downtown is working with the Town of Norway to support a proposal for an annual maintenance plan for downtown gardens and municipal garden areas.

Such a plan would provide the groundwork for reasonable volunteer support and encourage our residents and visitors to linger.

Another partnership with the Norway Branch Railroad Corporation supports the rehabilitation of the Railroad Trail. This trail connects downtown to the Oxford Hills Comprehensive school campus and the Viking Trail.

A recent Davis Conservation Foundation grant award of $4,000 will help the evaluation and assessment of the trail for improvement. Although these efforts were initiated by Norway Downtown, they can only meet success with collaboration.

Promotional goals for 2013 bring people to our Main Street. Promoting our downtown requires the cooperation of the Town of Norway and the non-profit and business community. The up-coming Mellie Dunham Shoe and String Festival, February 1 to -9, created to benefit the Western Foothills Land Trust, is supported by Norway Downtown.

Activities at Roberts Preserve culminate with a musical and dance event at the Norway Grange. Displays of Norway’s heritage snowshoe industry will be featured on Main Street.

The traditional Easter and Halloween Festivals depend on the Main Street community for collaboration when visitors are welcomed. The success of these Festivals depends on the Main Street hosts, their imaginations and resources.

In July, Norway Downtown partners with the Western Maine Art Group to bring the Annual Norway Arts Festival to Main Street. This event had its roots in the Norway Sidewalk Art Show, but now artists and performers gather “on” Main Street for the day to celebrate their talents.

The event depends on sponsorships and support from a community partnership.

Although successful recruitment has brought businesses to Main Street, work remains to be done. Norway Downtown partners with the Town of Norway and the Western Maine Economic Development Council.

An incentive brochure is being produced to support general recruitment and will contain specific, timely, resource information. ND acknowledges the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce and Score in supporting Main Street businesses and encourages these businesses to use their resources.

ND encourages common goals that can make a vision a reality. Saving our history, protecting our community, preserving a sense of place and stimulating the economy takes team work. The committed citizens of Norway cherish these values and partner to accomplish goals.

Norway Downtown welcomes your comments. Contact information: office address, 445 Main Street; office phone, 739-2512; POB 271, Norway. Visit: www.NorwayDowntown.org. See us on Facebook.