Reinventing Skowhegan with river waves, grains, big plans

Matt DuBois, co-owner of The Bankery and Skowhegan Fleuriste and Formalwear

Up for a little surfing in western Maine? Skowhegan plans to harness the recreational power of its downtown river with the Northeast’s only adjustable wave. Matt DuBois, co-owner of The Bankery and Skowhegan Fleursite, and Amber Lambke, co-founder of Maine Grains, join our Maine Ties podcast to talk about the Skowhegan River Park and reinventing this former mill town as the "gateway to the North Woods" with hard work and entrepreneurial spirit.

DuBois sits on the MaineCF Board of Directors and serves on the Western Mountains Committee. Lambke was chair of the Western Mountains Committee and served from 2011-2020.

Here’s how the Maine Community Foundation and donors have contributed to Skowhegan’s economic growth:

  • $10,000 Community Building grants to Main Street Skowhegan in 2020 and 2021 to empower local entrepreneurs and build a foundation for growth
  • A $5,000 Start Up Scale Up grant and $20,000 donor-advised grant to Maine Street Skowhegan in 2021 to create a business accelerator program and facility to assist rural entrepreneurs and small business owners
  • A $35,000 grant to the Town of Skowhegan in 2019 from the H. King and Jean Cummings Charitable Fund to support the Skowhegan River Park, which includes 50 miles of trails on 300 acres.

Listen here or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

Amber Lambke, co-founder of Maine Grains

Posted in MaineCF News.