Tourism group offers small business grants

8 years ago

Tourism group offers small business grants

CARIBOU — Aroostook County Tourism officials remind Tourism Network subscribers of a grant offer that is still available for a limited time.

The Maine Wood Tourism and Training Initiative has made it possible for qualifying small businesses to secure one-to-one matching grants to help improve a company’s ability to effectively market its business services to a greater audience and in a more professional manner.
Kim Smith, executive director of the Presque Isle Historical Society, a recent grant beneficiary, said, “With a Maine Woods Tourism grant, the Presque Isle Historical Society has been able to update its website to be more user friendly, mobile device friendly, and to accept online orders and registrations. This will truly make us much more competitive in today’s electronic world.”
Steve Dobson, owner of two County hotels, is currently working with staff at MWTTI to expand his market reach.
“I own and operate the Aroostook Hospitality Inn in Crouseville and the Aroostook Hospitality Inn in Van Buren and I am using the grant to increase my hotel exposure on the internet,” Dobson said. “We are still in the process of putting together a plan as we move forward. It isn’t very often you can receive up to $1,000 free with very few strings attached. All you have to do is fill out an application, which is very easy, and have some sort of a plan as to what you need to increase your business.”
For more information contact Alain Ouellette, aouellette@nmdc.org, or Judy Dinsmore, jdinsmore@nmdc.org.