New program to boost Maine Woods tourism businesses
A group of partners that includes the Northern Forest Center have launched the Tourism Innovation Program with the goal of providing funding for tourism businesses in the Moosehead Lake and Katahdin Iron Works regions.
“We want to help business owners transform their operations by tapping into specialized skills and expertise from across the state or across the country — ultimately bringing their business to the forefront of the highly competitive destination travel market,” Mike Wilson, senior program director for the Northern Forest Center, said in a statement announcing the program.
Over the next five years, the program expects to provide 15 qualified businesses with assistance ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 each to hire consultants to develop and implement business innovations ranging from software and facility improvements to product development.
With that financial support, the program is looking to partner local businesses with professional consultants to develop innovative strategies to strengthen projects. If a consultant recommends a capital investment, the financial assistance can also be used toward that expense. All financial assistance must be matched by each business’s own investment in their project.
“We want to work with local businesses to develop strategic projects that bring them real benefits and contribute to the quality of experience available to visitors,” added Wilson. “We’ll also need to make sure that the businesses we invest in have the financial and management capacity needed for successful innovation.”
Funding for the program comes from financing secured by the Appalachian Mountain Club and facilitated by the Northern Forest Center to support AMC’s Maine Woods Initiative.
Massachusetts Housing Investment Corp. and JPMorgan Chase provided capital and tax credit authority for the federal New Markets Tax Credit financing, which enables AMC and the center to invest in the Maine North Woods economy and provide other community benefits. Additional funding was also provided by a grant from the Plum Creek Foundation.
“Through our Maine Woods Initiative, AMC continues to seek ways in which our conservation and recreation lands, trails, lodges and programs can help build stronger and healthier communities. We are pleased to be working with the center on this new program that benefits the region’s nature-based tourism businesses,” said AMC Senior Vice President Walter Graff. “These businesses are key to attracting new and returning visitors to the area by providing new opportunities for outdoor recreation and connecting people to this iconic landscape.”
Read more
Collins, King and Poliquin express “serious reservations” about North Woods proposal
Disappointment over federal response to North Woods project
It's official: Obama designates north woods national monument
The day after: The response to the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
President designates marine national monument off New England
Rebranding a mill town: National monument creates fresh hope for Millinocket region
Tall Timbers Trust purchases 290,000 acres of Northern Maine forest
Most Recent
Most Recent
Comments