June 22, 2017 Meeting - Connect Camden

Connect Camden: Activity in Downtown Camden. Lehman Scott and Karen Brace spoke about the community and economic development in downtown Camden. Lehman explained that there is a national Main Street Program, which supports state organizations like the Maine Development Foundation which then supports local communities. Connect Camden has been formed to focus resources on the downtown community. There are programs in 44 states, 10 Main Street communities in Maine, including Belfast and Rockland. There’s also a start-up program that the Connect Camden group has started, designated as a Network Community. Current projects have to do with upgrading parking facilities, the Montgomery Dam and lighting upgrades with LED technology.  The goal is to make downtown attractive for retail and hospitality activity.

www.connectcamden.org. Mission: To build collaboration utilizing community assets to strengthen and energize Camden’s downtown. Work closely with Camden Area Business Group, the Library, event committees and other community organizations. Activity noted included filmmaking, education, technology, art and writing.  Sidewalks, “bump outs” for pedestrian crossings and other projects can help improve the pedestrian experience in downtown. The plan developed for the public landing is being reconsidered as well.

Kristen Lindquist provided a financial summary for the year as it closes. Fundraising netted just over $37k, and the club gave $6k in scholarships, $10k in Foundation grants, $5k to International, sent $2700 to No. Naples, 14 students to the Camden Conference, supported the Interact Club and an inbound exchange student from Thailand, Polio Plus, the District Governor’s project, books to the local library to honor speakers, $3,200 from buckets on the table went to KCHC/Hospitality House, a refugee family in Thomaston, the toilet paper project and many others. She stressed the importance of timely membership dues payment to help cover the costs of the club so it doesn’t have to dip into fundraising revenue to cover them.

Ron Hall reported on EREY and awarded stickers for annual Foundation support of $100 or greater: Jay Foster, Jodi Heal, Heinz Lehman, Joanne Miller, Tom Rodman, Bob Rosenberg, Bob Talbot, Wendy Zwecker.

Mark Coursey announced a July 8, 2017 Habitat build, 8-12 and 12-4 shifts planned, in Warren. There will be more information at future meetings, or see Mark for details.

Next week there will be no regular morning meeting of the Club, but the Annual Dinner at the Samoset.  If you haven’t signed up, get in touch with Susan Dorr as soon as possible.