Bethel

While the pandemic grounds much air travel, five Maine airports have received a total of $6.1 million through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Airport Improvement Program.

The recent acquisition of a 7-acre parcel near a train station in Bethel is planned to be the site of a 38-unit residential complex, with a pad site for potential commercial use.

Sunday River Resort in Newry has announced a plan to guide its development through 2030, focused on new infrastructure, year-round business and reaching a net-zero carbon impact.

In this look back at 2019, Mainebiz compiled some of the year's outliers — stories about products or initiatives that went off the beaten path.

The Oxford County town was tops in a ranking by USA Today, based on expert nominations and a vote by readers across the country.

After an exhibit installation, the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum is scheduled to open Dec. 12. The museum is promoting the opening with an unusual $25,000 giveaway.

The Bethel Community Forest is expected to safeguard the town’s economic, natural and recreational resources, and create a much-needed revenue stream through sustainable forestry practices. 

After 15 year of running the Funky Red Barn Restaurant and Bar in Bethel, Barry and Brooke Hallett Jr. closed the ski-town dive bar and sold the property.

Mt. Abram, the ski resort in Greenwood, plans to kick off Phase 1 construction next month of what’s ultimately expected to be Maine’s largest mountain bike park. The plan taps into burgeoning interest in the sport and is expected to stimulate new participation.

The town of Bethel and neighboring ski areas are in the midst of expanding and diversifying their economies. Various interests aim to leverage assets that have long made the area a desirable destination to outdoor enthusiasts. That includes proximity to New England population centers, location at the nexus of important corridors, Bethel’s reputation as an “authentic” New England town, and a longstanding vacation vibe for the region’s mountains, lakes and preserved lands.