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Women, Work, and Community Awards Downtown Dollars in Western Maine

Western Mini Grants

We are excited to announce the winners of our Downtown Dollars marketing mini-grant competition for small businesses in Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford counties.

 

One mini-marketing grant was awarded to Fiber and Vine on Main Street Norway, Maine. This is a retail shop of both fine wines and high quality fibers located in the first floor of the renovated opera house. Fiber and Vine engages with other businesses on a number of events to elevate Downtown Norway. The funds from this marketing mini-grant will be used to purchase two Department of Transportation signs. These signs will help increase the awareness of both Fiber and Vine, and other Downtown Norway businesses from the busy Route 26 corridor.

 

Another mini-marketing grant was awarded to the Schoolhouse Gallery on Main Street in Kingfield, Maine.  The Schoolhouse Gallery features the fine art photography of John and Cynthia Orcutt as well as fine crafts from Maine artisans. The Schoolhouse Gallery is a significant contributor to Downtown Kingfield as a founding member of the monthly Kingfield Artwalk. The funds from the marketing mini-grant will be used to develop posters and large postcard for two upcoming new photography exhibits to help drive new customers to the gallery and to coordinate with the Kingfield Artwalk event.

 

These awardees were selected from a strong group of applicants throughout the western Maine regions. WWC’s Downtown Dollars marketing mini-grant competition was especially targeted at communities affiliated with the Maine Downtown Center. Criteria for the contest included being in business five years or less, having five or fewer employees, and presenting a compelling marketing project to support business growth. Support for WWC’s partnership with Maine Downtown Center and the Downtown Dollars mini-grants program was provided in part from The Betterment Fund.