A collaborative effort, spearheaded by the Maine Tourism Association, in conjunction with the town of Houlton has coordinated the procurement of funding for the Houlton Visitor Information Center for the remainder of 2014 and all of 2015.
The sources of funding are from the Aroostook County Commissioners and the Maine Office of Tourism; with any residual, minor amount (if any) paid by the town of Houlton. The real estate and building are owned by the town which, as the owner, pays for the general maintenance of the property. All other funding for the equipment and staff is paid by the Maine Office of Tourism per an annual management contract with the Maine Tourism Association.
This is very welcome news as the VIC is such an important link to the tourism industry in The County; regardless of where people are traveling from when they stop in for information or just a travel break. Travelers are greeted by professional and informative staff whose jobs are to ensure that the traveler is provided with as much information as possible for area attractions, hotels, restaurants, shopping and cultural history.
The VIC is also a wonderful resource for the people of Houlton and the surrounding area given its location, picnic tables, free WIFI and a safe place to take a walk (with or without a dog!).
Houlton is a gateway to all parts of northern Maine for people traveling from New Brunswick or any other part of our state. The staff makes a positive impact on each and every person who stops by; and this does the town a lot of good in that it brands Houlton as a friendly and enjoyable place to visit and patronize. Whether any particular traveler spends time in Houlton after a particular stop is not always as important as the town making a lasting impression which will cause people to look at our area favorably and one where they would like to see, again — and spending time (and money).
There was a very real chance that the VIC, without this funding would have closed — or at a minimum offered less services with restricted hours. I think that would have been highly unfortunate for Aroostook County and Houlton itself; but the good news is that the VIC has received a new “lease on life” so to speak. Think what an inhospitable greeting to northern Maine, The County and Houlton would have looked like with a “shuttered” VIC; not what we would have wanted to project.
All this said, this funding should not be counted on as long-term; it is a one-year commitment — but a very important commitment nonetheless. I raise this point as it is imperative for the town of Houlton to see alternative sources of funding to the extent that the Town Council does not or will not approve funding for 2016; and beyond. Many other towns benefit from the Houlton VIC — therefore, it makes sense for a well-organized effort to request funding from the other towns where people visiting the VIC are directed by the Houlton MTA staff. I would also recommend the exploration of other sources of funding, too — all bases should be covered in an effort to ensure the Houlton VIC’s future.
The Maine Tourism Association provided considerable guidance and assistance to Town Council members and the new town manager in promoting the Houlton VIC in relation to helping to secure this funding. The experience was a great example of the private sector (the MTA) collaborating with a municipality for the greater good of all.
I am proud to serve on the Board of Directors of the MTA and want anyone reading this to know that as the northernmost board member, I am a resource to any business who would consider becoming an MTA member. The cost is low in relation to the overall benefits of membership.
When I joined the Board, I let the people who nominated me know that I would be a very vocal proponent of The County and all of northern Maine; and to be ready to provide me with assistance in any way I needed in that effort. I can safely say that the MTA Board and its CEO stepped to the plate in a big way; and this funding is evidence of that; for which I am grateful.
Jim Brown and his wife Kim have owned Rideout’s Lakeside Lodge & Cottages on East Grand Lake in Weston since 2012. His background is in real estate and finance. He can be reached at 207-210-7191 or via e-mail at jim@rideouts.com.
