The Center has supported the growing enterprise at Turning Page Farm in Monson, Maine, with two grants from our Tourism Innovation Program (TIP).

The Center offers support to Blair Hill Inn to build destination appeal and enhance economic development.

The Center awarded a Tourism Innovation grant to entrepreneur Abby Freethy in Greenville, Maine, to help expand her Northwoods Gourmet Girl business into a full lifestyle brand.

The Center awarded grants to Moosehead area businesses to upgrade and develop new marketing strategies.

The Center and regional partners are piloting a wayfinding project to improve the visitor experience, create regional connectivity, and continue to build public momentum and interest in the Katahdin region as a recreation destination.

The Center’s Tourism Innovation Program provides grants to help tourism providers in Maine implement innovations that strengthen businesses, expand job opportunities and attract new visitors to the Maine Woods.

The Center achieved its initial goal of raising $1 million in investments for its Millinocket Housing Initiative Fund and has put the money to work directly in the community.

Libraries often serve as community hubs, but few reflect community spirit and innovation as clearly as the newly renovated Millinocket Memorial Library. The Center facilitated federal New Markets Tax Credit financing and contributed funds for the library’s automated wood pellet boiler to help with the project.

The Second Nature Adventure Challenge encourages people in Western Maine to be active outdoors, and in 2020 the program added a fundraising incentive to address food insecurity heightened by the Covid-19 pandemic.

In early 2016, the Center facilitated financing for a major investment in Piscataquis County that enabled the Appalachian Mountain Club to reconstruct its Medawisla Lodge & Cabins, build new trails, improve local fisheries and more.