Report: Rural tourism needs investment
A new report from the Maine Center for Economic Policy urges the state to invest in tourism efforts for Maine's rural areas.
The report, "Economic Development Investments to Realize Rural Maine's Tourism Potential," recommends the state establish a five-year goal of underwriting $100 million in new destination development investments in Piscataquis, coastal Washington and northern Franklin counties. The funding could come from existing bond revenues, from a new bond, general revenues or dedicated revenues from tourism-related taxes. The Augusta-based think tank identified a number of ways to boost tourism in rural regions, including improving road maintenance, adding high-speed Internet service and increasing downtown beautification efforts. The report also recommended enhancing the regions' nature-based tourism by adding trails and signage, and investing in jobs training and small business outreach programs.
Besides bringing in visitors, investment in the tourism industry would help the rural regions lure entrepreneurs and improve the quality of life for rural residents, according to the report. David Vail, an economic and environmental studies professor at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, wrote the report.
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