ROCKLAND — Rockland Main Street, Inc. invites the public to view a display about the organization’s mission and projects at the Rockland Public Library, 80 Union St. The display runs through the month of October.

Rockland Main Street is a nationally accredited, 501(c)3 nonprofit that represents a focused partnership of residents, businesses, and local government to enhance and protect the unique sense of place and economic vitality of downtown Rockland, Maine. 

Together with the City, the organization is celebrating its 10th Anniversary as a Main Street community this year. In June of 2009, Rockland was named by the National Main Street Center as one of Maine’s “Main Street Maine” communities, part of the National Historic Trust’s model dedicated to historical preservation and community revitalization.

The organization’s volunteer Board of Directors is dedicated to preserving the working waterfront and historic downtown district. Learn more at www.rocklandmainstreet.org.

“As the leading advocacy organization for ongoing revitalization, and community and economic development in our downtown district, Rockland Main Street believes that everyone deserves access to a vibrant neighborhood – a place that has a thriving local economy, is rich in character, and features inviting public spaces that make residents and visitors feel that they belong,” said Main Street, in a news release. “To this end, Rockland Main Street organizes the Festival of Lights Celebration during Thanksgiving weekend, which includes the Lobster Trap Christmas Tree, the Parade of Lights, and Breakfast With Santa.”

Rockland Main Street also organizes and manages the Summer Solstice Celebration Street Party and Dock Party, Spring Hiring Fair, Scarecrow Days, and a variety of sidewalk and streetscape improvements. A family-friendly Winter Carnival is planned for February 2020. 

To bring residents, businesses and local government together, Rockland Main Street organizes monthly Morning on Main meetings so that downtown stakeholders can learn more about what’s happening in the City. All meetings run 8 - 9 a.m., and are always held on the second Tuesday of the month, at a wide variety of downtown locations. The November and December meetings are scheduled to be held at Steel House - South, 639 Main Street, and at the Masonic Temple, 456 Main Street, Rockland, respectively. The public is invited - no need to RSVP - everyone is welcome. Sign up to receive Morning on Main emails at rocklanddowntown@gmail.com.

In honor of its 10th anniversary, Rockland Main Street will host the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours on December 11, from 5-7 p.m., at Ada’s Kitchen.

The National Main Street Center, a leading voice in the Main Street movement, helps revitalize older and historic commercial districts to build vibrant neighborhoods and thriving economies. According to Ed McMahon, Chair, National Main Street Center Board of Directors, “Downtown is important because it’s the heart and soul of any community. If you don’t have a healthy downtown, you simply don’t have a healthy town.”

Between 1980-2018, The National Main Street Center has assisted more than 2,000 communities. The organization’s efforts have resulted in $78.98 billion reinvested, 284, 936 buildings rehabilitated, 640,017 net jobs gained, and 143,613 net businesses gained. 

FMI: rocklandmainstreet.org; facebook.com/RMSIDowntown