HOULTON, Maine — Promoting the region to people from within Aroostook County as well as to people from across New England and Canada is one of the key elements of Houlton’s Attraction Committee.
Chairman Chris Anderson revealed the plan for Houlton’s new Gateway Ambassador program at a Monday, March 9, town council meeting.
It’s just the latest in a long line of different programs to try to promote the area, as well as Aroostook County, within the state and beyond. Anderson noted that according to studies, it was not just important to promote Houlton to different parts of the state and New England, but to residents and alumni of the town as well.
“Aroostook County needs to develop a communications strategy to start actively promoting itself not just to the outside, but also to Aroostook alumni, especially high school students, so they are aware of the commitment from the larger community to create appealing career opportunities,” he said. “In the past 10 to 20 years, Houlton in particular has a very vibrant alumni association.”
In order to showcase interest in Houlton, Anderson hopes the new Gateway Ambassador program can attract “influencers” who can promote the positives of living in the area, such as the lower cost of living.
“If more people across all platforms and organizations can have the badge of ambassador, we will collectively be in a position to promote our area positively,” said Anderson. “It’s understanding that we’re all influencers, and we need to come together to do a better job of that.”
Anderson stated the group reached out to around 40 people who they considered to be influencers regarding the program, and that many people were excited about the concept. Those people have been exchanging information about the community to gain further insight into being an ambassador.
In assigning influencers to be ambassadors, Anderson hopes the project will also improve the town’s digital presence. He pointed to the Houlton Gateway Ambassadors Facebook, which presently has slightly less than 400 ‘likes,’ but still requires more content.
The program’s mission, according to its Facebook page, is “to positively promote the Greater Houlton area as an attractive place to visit, live, work and play.”
“It essentially becomes a social network in and of itself,” explained Anderson.
Members of the town council weighed in as well as to what advantages of Houlton they could promote to outsiders.
“I talked to someone who hasn’t gotten fully moved here yet, and he said the way the cost of living is up here he’ll double his retirement,” said councilor Hal Britton. “So that’s another advantage that this area has.”
A networking social will be held on Thursday, April 9, at Wired Cafe to bring in more influencers and to further explore the subject.
