Heart of Biddeford asks community to weigh in on downtown priorities

Heart of Biddeford (HOB), the nonprofit organization behind many of downtown Biddeford's signature events, arts programs, and small business support initiatives, is asking the community to help shape its priorities for the coming year.

A change in city funding is requiring HOB to make some hard decisions about where to focus its energy and resources, said Heart of Biddeford officials in a press release. HOB is going directly to the people it serves -- residents, visitors, and downtown business owners -- to find out what matters most to them.

"We've always believed that a thriving downtown is created by everyone's involvement," said Delilah Poupore, HOB's executive director. "Before we adjust our work, we want honest input from the community about what they value and what they'd be willing to see us scale back. This is their downtown."

HOB is requesting feedback from residents, visitors and downtown business owners through two short surveys that are now available online.

• Residents and Visitors (about 3 minutes): https://tally.so/r/q4JYZG

• Downtown Business Owners (about 4 minutes): https://tally.so/r/dW825K

Both surveys close Friday, May 22 at midnight. Everyone who completes a survey and provides their email will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a $100 downtown Biddeford gift card.