The Center teamed up with Millinocket-based Designlab to produce a series of videos about the Katahdin region, which is poised for renewal after years of hard work by local community and business leaders.
Five area residents attest to this change in videos that capture what they love best about living in the Katahdin region. These inspiring stories share the roles they each play in redefining the region as a place of opportunity.
The series launched in mid-February, with the 2- to 3-minute videos available online and to local businesses and organizations looking to promote the region. the series was produced by locally based firm Designlab and is funded by the Northern Forest Center, which has been investing in the region’s largest town, Millinocket, since 2017. The Center invested $1 million to create quality housing options in town and works with partners to advance a variety of revitalization projects in the region.
“These five perspectives share what we see every day – the Katahdin region’s vibrancy comes not just from the majestic views and great opportunities for outdoor recreation, but from the energy and creativity of people who make their homes here,” said Denise DeVoe-Hazelett, program manager for the Center.
“We encourage people to come explore what this region has to offer – as visitors, new residents, and business owners. The outdoor recreation opportunities are also amazing – from snowmobiling, four wheeling, hunting, boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, biking, skiing, snowshoeing, and more!”
The stories highlight the themes of Community, Opportunity, The Good Life, and Adventure. They feature people who have moved to the region for its recreational access, community members who have always lived in the region, and others who have returned. Together, they represent residents who are helping shape a new forest future for the roughly 10,000 residents of the Katahdin Region.
Episode #1: Tom Shafer, (link above) Co-founder and Owner, Maine Heritage Timber, believes small town living doesn’t mean passing up investment opportunities.
Episode #2: Lindsay Downing, second-generation owner of Mt. Chase Lodge, loves giving her kids the freedom to adventure outdoors in this remarkable landscape.
Episode #3: Mike Smith, executive director of Outdoor Sport Institute, lives in this four-season outdoor recreation paradise and enjoys helping people build their skills and confidence.
Episode #4: Jessica Masse, partner at Designlab, knows firsthand that the Katahdin region’s quality of life and the changing digital economy attract new residents to the region.
Episode #5: Canaan York, owner of Katahdin Collectibles, has helped create a vibrant sense of community in one of the most ruggedly beautiful places in the world.
“This new video series really captures what we want the world to know about Millinocket and the Katahdin region: Maine’s ‘biggest small town’, is a great place to visit, live and work,” said Millinocket Town Manager Peter Jamieson. “We’ll use these videos to tell the story of the Katahdin region and to help future employees, neighbors, entrepreneurs, and families envision what their lives could be like here.”
Center’s Telling Your Forest Story marketing series wraps after four years and 32 graduated wood products business.
Maine Preservation recognized the Gehring House renovation with an award for outstanding redevelopment that saved a neglected community asset while preserving remarkable historic woodwork and craftsmanship.
The Northern Forest Center submitted the preliminary subdivision application for its 28-unit housing development on Spruce Street to the Greenville Planning Board.