Exciting News: Welcome Clarisa Diaz as our New Marketing Coordinator
Heart of Ellsworth is thrilled to introduce Clarisa Diaz as our new Marketing Coordinator! Since early 2024, Clarisa has been an invaluable volunteer with us, serving on the Design Committee and contributing her creative talents to our initiatives.
In her new role, Clarisa will take the lead in managing the Tourism Marketing & Development Recovery grant from the Maine Office of Tourism. She will also oversee all aspects of marketing for Heart of Ellsworth, including promoting our events, programs, and the organization’s mission.
Please join us in welcoming Clarisa to the team as we continue to grow and strengthen our vibrant community together!
Clarisa believes that "at a time when the future holds so many possibilities, work at the local level is pivotal in creating the environment and communities we want to live in and thrive."
CORA Grant Awarded to Heart of Ellsworth!
Heart of Ellsworth is thrilled to announce that we’ve been awarded the Community Outdoor Recreation Assistance (CORA) grant, supported by the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation! This funding allows us to collaborate with Frenchman Bay Conservancy and Ellsworth Public Library to enhance Riverwalk North and transform it into a vibrant Sculpture Trail.
In this first planning phase, the project will blend art and outdoor recreation, featuring sculptures by Maine artists from the Schoodic International Sculpture Symposium (SISS). Frenchman Bay Conservancy will continue to work to extend the trail, while Ellsworth Public Library will explore solutions to ensure accessibility for all. Together, we aim to create a unique cultural and recreational space that celebrates Ellsworth’s heritage and ensures future enjoyment for all.
Stay tuned for updates and opportunities to get involved in this exciting initiative!
Subscribe to the Ellsworth Business Pulse E-Newsletter
We featured eight downtown Ellsworth businesses this year in our Ellsworth Business Pulse E-Newsletter! Did you read them? We’ll be featuring even more in 2025.
The Ellsworth Business Pulse is a monthly newsletter curated by Heart of Ellsworth that shares resources, events, and support available to business owners and entrepreneurs in Downeast Maine. Subscribe to the Ellsworth Business Pulse and get these features in your inbox, once per month.
Transfer Your Balance to a Bangor Federal Visa Credit Card & Save!
It’s no secret – your dollar doesn’t stretch as far as it used to.
The team at Bangor Federal Credit Union is here to help you save on your credit card payments so you have more money to take care of the important things in life.
If you transfer your balance to a Bangor Federal Visa credit card between January 1st and March 31st, you can enjoy an introductory 4.99% APR through March of 2026!
For additional details and terms, visit bangorfederal.com, call (207) 947-0374, or visit the friendly faces at their Ellsworth location (175 High St. – next to Reny’s).
*APR=Annual Percentage Rate. Subject to membership and credit approval. The promotional 4.99% rate is valid on balance transfers between January 1, 2025 to March 31, 2025. On March 31, 2026 the promotional rate will expire and the rate will revert to 8.90% for Our Best Rate Visa, and 10.90% for Our Best Rewards Visa. Special promotion does not apply to current Bangor Federal loans or credit card balances. Foreign transaction fee 1.00% of each transaction in U.S. dollars. Late payment fee up to $25.00. Full Visa credit card application and solicitation disclosures can be viewed at https://www.bangorfederal.com/assets/files/JVWKwuc3. Promotion expires March 31, 2025. Bangor Federal Credit Union - Federally Insured by NCUA.
Community Feedback Requested during Town Hall Meeting - Ellsworth Fire Department
January 8th: 6 PM
The Ellsworth Fire Department is developing a strategic plan to better serve the community and invites residents to be part of the process. At an upcoming Town Hall-style presentation, the department will outline the plan's purpose and its impact on fire prevention, emergency response, and public safety, while also soliciting community member's feedback.
Community members, including those who attend or cannot attend, are encouraged to complete the Fire Department’s Citizen Survey for Strategic Fire Plan Development. The survey is available below
Ellsworth Tourism Input Session - Maine Office of Tourism
January 9th: 9 - 11 AM
Since the launch of the Maine Office of Tourism Destination Management Plan in 2023, the tourism landscape has continued to evolve. The Office of Tourism is now launching the "Destination Management Plan: 2025 Reset" to ensure it stays on track for future success and invites you to participate in a tourism industry input session to share your insights on travel trends, priorities, and strategies for growth that will inform the next 5-year marketing and development strategy.
This session will be held Wednesday, January 9 in Ellsworth from 9-11am.
Join Fogtown Brewing Company on January 18t to celebrate seven incredible years! Come enjoy a disco bash with Lazers in the Jungle, featuring dazzling lights, funky beats, and great company.
"We couldn’t have made it this far without the incredible support of our community, and we’re ready to celebrate in style."
Shop hundreds of gently used fiction and nonfiction books, books for kids and teens, DVDs, and puzzles! All items are for sale by donation unless otherwise noted (cash or check only). All proceeds from the book sale directly support the library, its programs, and special initiatives. We look forward to seeing you!
Ellsworth Public Library
20 State Street, Ellsworth
Ignite your passion for adventure, action, and travel!
Our favorite outdoor adventure film festival returns to in-person screenings with the exotic locations, unexpected adventures, and inspiring stories you’ve come to expect.
The Banff Mountain Film Festival joins the world’s best adventure filmmakers and explorers as they push themselves to the limits in the most remote and stunning corners of the globe. Witness epic human-powered feats, life-affirming challenges, and mind-blowing cinematography – all on the big screen at the Grand in Downtown Ellsworth.
Hosted by The Grand Theater and The Ellsworth American.
As we usher in the new year, there's no better time to embrace a healthy habit that’s fun, engaging, and great for your well-being—Healthy Acadia’s Tai Chi for Health classes are the perfect way to get started. Healthy Acadia is excited to kick off 2025 with a lineup of Tai Chi for Health classes designed to help community members embrace a fun and engaging way to stay active.
Healthy Acadia’s Tai Chi for Health classes meet for one hour per week for eight weeks and are offered free of charge, though donations are suggested and appreciated. Pre-registration is required. Check out their Winter 2025 schedule and register for a class.
Ellsworth 2035 Comprehensive Plan + Housing Needs Assessment
Have you checked out the Ellsworth 2035 Comprehensive plan? For the first time in 20 years, Ellsworth has a new vision for the future—a roadmap designed to tackle our most pressing challenges while celebrating and preserving what makes our community unique. This plan is the result of a collaborative effort by our dedicated Steering Committee, City staff, City Councilors, and consultants from BerryDunn and Woodard & Curran.
Want to check out the plan now? The full plan is available in PDF format on their website!
Also available through the Comp Plan webpage is the Housing Needs Assessment and Strategy document. Housing challenges have been identified during the Comprehensive Plan process, in developing the City’s recent Business Attraction Plan, and in other local and regional community discussions.
This needs assessment provides a more detailed analysis of current and projected housing supply and demand, housing market dynamics, economic conditions, and the labor market. This information has been used to develop an estimate of the City’s housing needs and identify policy changes and initiatives to address housing needs.
