HOULTON — With spring weather finally here, Houlton Rotarians gathered for their Monday luncheon meeting on May 4. Jane Torres announced the results for the successful annual canoe race. This was a great use of the Riverfront Park in downtown Houlton since the race ended there.
Houlton Rotary President Amy Hocking announced the opening for four new board members. A big thank you goes out to the volunteer crew at the Episcopal Church for another wonderful meal. This week was meatloaf, vegetables and potatoes, and many terrific desserts.
Nancy Ketch hosted the program and her guests were Lorain Francis, Greg Paxton and Mike Lyne who represent different organizations but who collaborate toward a common goal which is to revitalize downtowns in Maine.
Lorain, senior director, spoke about Maine Downtown Center, which is a program of the Maine Development Foundation. Their mission is to foster downtown revitalization that is dynamic and community-based with results in economic development, business growth, job creation, housing revitalization, historic preservation, leadership and cultural enhancement. The Four-Points of the Maine Street approach are Organization, Promotions, Design and Economic Restructuring. There are 10 communities in the Main Street Maine Communities program, which tend to be larger communities such as Augusta and Saco and there are 20 communities in the Network Communities, which include smaller towns such as Houlton and Bar Harbor. Houlton joined MDC in 2011.
Greg, senior director of Maine Preservation, spoke about his work in Historic Preservation. Their focus is on real estate – finding historically built environments to revitalize through preservation practices that look at tax credits, energy efficiency, second and third floor usage and successful partnerships in downtown settings. It is found that if a building is restored through this program, there is a catalyst towards economic revitalization. Greg showed examples in Yarmouth, Lewiston, Biddeford and a current project in Dover Foxcroft. Between $40-60 million a year is generated through the Historic Tax Credit program. Through direct intervention, historic credits, advocacy, incremental steps and retaining builders to become professional in restoration, Maine Preservation has had great success. All three guests could be heard again at the Courtyard Café later that evening and Nancy invited Rotarians to reserve a seat, free of charge.
