Final Report
Project Goals
BENEFIT PUBLIC HEALTH BY ENSURING OFFERINGS ARE WIDELY ACCESSIBLE, AVAILABLE, AND RELEVANT
To engage Somerset County’s varying demographics, organizations must strive to provide diverse offerings that appeal to a broad spectrum of residents while responding to identified barriers effecting participation in arts, cultural, and heritage offerings.
PROMOTE AGRICULTURAL, ARTS, CULTURAL, HISTORIC, AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
As a region rich in arts, cultural, historic, and natural assets with a bustling agricultural industry, Somerset County provides a robust quality of life and an authentic experience for visitors. Through strategic promotion of assets, Somerset County could strengthen its appeal to visitors and those looking to relocate.
UTILIZE CREATIVE PLACEMAKING PROJECTS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE REGIONS POSITIVE IMAGE AND SENSE OF PLACE
Somerset County’s vast, rural landscape presents unique challenges including population loss and general strain on financial, civic, and human capital. Placemaking projects help to build community pride; galvanize residents to collectively shape the future of their communities; and bring diverse people together creating social connections and new understandings. Being a warm welcoming community benefits business and quality of life.
STRENGTHEN SUPPORT FOR SOMERSET COUNTY’S CREATIVE AND CULTURAL SECTOR, TO INCREASE THE RESILIENCE OF THE CREATIVE ECONOMY
Like many Maine communities, Somerset County experienced economic decline brought, in part, by loss of a once thriving manufacturing industry. Cultivating a robust creative economy is a proven strategy for economic revitalization and local resilience.
Steering Committee
- Jon Kimbell, Chair, Resident Producer, SenovvA, Inc.
- Margi Browne, Vice Chair, Owner, Lakewood Golf Course
- Mary Burr, Treasurer, Owner, Blue Ribbon Farm & 122 Corson Restaurant
- Elizabeth Tilton, Secretary, Registered Nurse
- Ann Pollard-Ranco, Representative of Gedakina & Native American Descendant
- Barbara Sullivan, Artist & Educator
- Darryll White, Associate, Main Street Skowhegan
- Emma Glencross
- Gwen Hilton, Community Planning Consultant
- Jason Gagne, Executive Director, Skowhegan Area Chamber of Commerce
- Jordan Powers, Manager, Bigelow Brewery
- Julie Cooke, Manager, Happy Knits
- Kevin James, Artist
- Kristina Cannon, Executive Director, Main Street Skowhegan
- Maria Landry, Associate, Main Street Skowhegan
- Mary Haley, Staff Liaison, Main Street Skowhegan & Wes Arts
- Nancy Carbone, Actress
- Nina Pleasants, House Manager, Colby College
- Pamela Powers, Owner, Bigelow Brewery
- Patricia Horine, Skowhegan History House
- Rhonda Emerson, CPA
- Serena Sanborn, FedCo Seeds & Waterville Creates
- Steven Dionne, Dionne & Son Builders
- Tim Curtis, Town Manager, Town of Madison
- Travis Weeks, Executive Director, Cornville Regional Charter School
Acknowledgements & Appreciations
- Amber Lambke, Maine Grains for hosting our first fund raiser in her home 122 Corson Restaurant for hosting our second fundraiser and meetings Bigelow Brewing Company for hosting fundraisers at no charge
- VB Design-Victoria Blaine-Wallace for poster/t-shirt designs
- Skowhegan Savings Bank for marketing support Bangor Savings Bank for marketing support
- Maine Grain Alliance for wood oven use
- Betsy Arntze, Canadian Studies Outreach, Canadian-American Center, University of Maine Maria Parent for WesArts logo design
- WesArts committees of WXNZ and Open Arts
- Skowhegan Chamber of Commerce