Maine snowmobile trails get close to $250K in grants, aiding businesses and saving dozens of jobs

File photo courtesy / Maine Snowmobile Association Three Maine snowmobile clubs have been awarded close to $250,000 in federal funding to support a total of 43 businesses and save dozens of jobs.

Write a Comment

By Renee Cordes

Well before the start of the start of Maine's next snowmobiling season, three organizations devoted to the pastime have been awarded $242,712 in federal funding that will support 43 businesses and preserve dozens of jobs.

The grants, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Business Development Program, will be used to repair and maintain trails this winter.

“Maine’s snowmobile industry is a powerful economic engine for our state, contributing more than $600 million to Maine’s economy and supporting small businesses and rural communities along the trail routes,” U.S. Sens. Angus King, I-Maine, and Susan Collins, R-Maine, said in a joint statement Wednesday.

“This funding will help to ensure that our trails in Maine are ready for snowmobilers to enjoy this winter.”

Funding will go to the city of Caribou, the Arnold Trail Snowmobile Network in Eustis and Black Mountain of Maine, a ski resort in Rumford.

Caribou received $95,000 to buy snowmobile trail grooming equipment, which will replace an old trail groomer. The equipment is vital to the winter economy and will ensure continued access to businesses during the winter months, according to the release. That funding will assist 21 businesses and save a total of 15 full-time jobs.

Arnold Trail Snowmobile Network received $125,000 to buy snowmobile trail-grooming equipment, which will replace an old trail groomer. The funding will aid 13 businesses and save a total of 20 full-time jobs.

The third recipient, Black Mountain of Maine, received $22,212 to purchase alpine trail grooming equipment that will replace an old trail groomer. That funding will assist nine businesses in Rumford. The town has seen a flurry of development activity including construction of a new Best Western Hotel, which is due to open soon and is already taking reservations.

Editor's Note: This article was updated to reflect a corrected press release issued after the original publication.