Author: Adam MacDonald

A little inspiration for your inbox

  Every day we’re inspired by the ways downtown businesses have pivoted in response to the pandemic. Even is the midst of great uncertainty, they’ve found innovative and meaningful ways to stay connected to and engaged with our community. Today we’d like to share how two of Portland Downtown’s board members, Krista Cole of Sur Lie and Michael Erickson of Holiday Inn

A Q+A with our Board Chair

  How has Portland Downtown handled COVID-19 with regard to its staff, board, and stakeholders?   Our staff and board were able to respond very quickly and make changes to allow both our staff and board to work and meet remotely. Our top priority as an organization was to make sure that the downtown community

Brighter days ahead

  Hello, friends! We wanted to take a moment to update you on a few spring projects here at Portland Downtown. Please know that we are doing everything in our power to add color and a sense of normalcy to our downtown streets and parks during this challenging time. We hope this update brings you

We hear you

  Last week I sent an email titled Finding Our Way, which highlighted many of the efforts being made by local organizations to support our business and nonprofit community. Every day, there are more and more examples of how people are adapting, being innovative, stepping up, giving back, and lending a hand (or two!). Beloved celebrities are inspiring us, as are our youth. In

Finding our way

  More than a week has passed since I sent the message “extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures“, the first email communication from Portland Downtown related to the emergence of COVID-19 in our community. Since then, I’ve talked with business owners and nonprofit leaders who have had to lay off staff, cancel fundraising events, and in

Where to turn for answers

  With each new day, individuals, businesses, and organizations are having to make difficult decisions that have very real and immediate consequences for their businesses and for those who they employ. While we use the term ‘businesses’, ‘organizations’, and ’employees’, what we are really talking about is our community members and friends. There is an

Portland Downtown launches search for new executive director

PORTLAND, Maine – Portland Downtown is beginning its search for a new executive director to replace existing director, Casey Gilbert, whose contract ends June 30. Gilbert, who led the organization through its five-year strategic plan from 2015 to 2020, plans to build a consulting practice and explore teaching opportunities along with the completion of a