BY BETTY JESPERSEN

Staff Writer

Farmington and Augusta have been selected as two of seven Maine towns to participate in a new program designed to help communities revitalize their downtowns.

The new Maine Downtown Network is a "lighter" version of its sister program, Main Street Maine, because it does not require a three-year commitment for a full-time coordinator.

Both programs are affiliated with the state's Maine Development Foundation and the National Main Street Center. In central Maine, Waterville and Skowhegan are designated Main Street Maine towns.

Farmington's application was submitted by the Farmington Downtown Association with support from the town of Farmington and Greater Franklin Development Corporation. The city of Augusta's was put forward by the Office of Economic Development.

"We felt our downtown is already pretty vital and that we needed some help but not a lot," said Farmington Town Manager Richard Davis. "Our downtown is strong and we want to be proactive and keep it strong."

Gerard Roy, associate director of Augusta's economic-development office, said participating in the new program will provide the city with the training and funding opportunities it needs to attract more businesses and visitors downtown.

"This will add to the Mayor's Downtown Initiative and will tell us how to do our job better," Roy said. The initiative, working with Augusta's Riverfront Business Group, now offers free wireless networking, or WiFi, throughout downtown. Plans include creating a "museum of the streets" with plaques commemorating historic events; signs directing people to the riverfront commercial district; and creation of a downtown map.

According to the Maine Development Foundation, the Network was created to strengthen downtown revitalization efforts and provide communities with resources and with training led by experienced downtown revitalization experts from Maine and from across the country.

Low-cost workshops are offered at the Maine Downtown Center in Augusta and include tapping into assets to stimulate a town's economy; saving historic buildings; promoting local businesses; and developing community leadership. The Maine Downtown program focuses on organization -- to maximize community involvement; promotion -- to attract visitors, shoppers and investors; design -- to enhance a district's appearance while preserving historic features; economic restructuring -- to stimulate business development and strengthen the economic base.

"The program is based on methods that have been proven to keep downtowns vital and vibrant," said Alison Hagerstrom, of Greater Franklin Development Corporation. "We will need help to do this and will be looking for lots of volunteers," she said. "This is a new way of thinking. This isn't just a downtown Farmington project. It is a broader effort because a vital downtown brings people to the area and benefits all businesses."

The cost for the two-year commitment is between $250 and $1,000 a year, with the fee determined by population.

"This is very grassroots, very volunteer-based. It is from the ground up," said Roxanne Eflin, program manager of the Maine Downtown Center.

Michael Mansir, president of the Farmington Downtown Association, said being part of this new program can only benefit an already vibrant downtown.

According to the Maine Development Foundation, the nine Maine Street Maine communities have reported more than 133,580 local volunteer hours dedicated to downtown revitalization efforts; over $95.7 million in private and public funds invested; 359 buildings rehabilitated; and a net gain of 617 new jobs and 154 new businesses.