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Mandy Parker is a mother of seven homesteading in Danforth.
Maine faces a quiet economic depression. Rural areas, especially in the north, have seen stagnant per-capita GDP since the early 2000s, while Portland surges ahead. Job growth lags the national average, wages struggle against rising costs for housing, energy, and healthcare, and rural depopulation continues. Unemployment is low ( 3.2%), but labor force participation trails in rural areas, and overall job growth is predicted to remain under 1% annually. Corporate incentives haven’t fixed the urban-rural divide, they’ve widened it.
The fix doesn’t require flashy industries or soul-crushing development. Maine’s strongest asset is its 6,000-plus miles of interconnected ATV trails — one of the East Coast’s largest networks. This isn’t just recreation; it’s a proven economic engine.
In 2023, ATV/UTV activity added $38 million in value to Maine’s economy — a 52% jump since 2019, outpacing state economic growth. About 70,000 annual registrations generate roughly $5 million in direct revenue (resident registration costs $70, non-residents up to $115), with over two-thirds funding trail maintenance, enforcement, and club grants. This creates a self-sustaining cycle.
The bigger impact comes from tourism spending: Riders buy fuel, food, lodging, and gear in rural towns. Aroostook County alone saw $167 million in direct 2024 tourism spending, supporting 2,170 jobs and $77 million in wages. Visitors provide vital lifelines to small businesses, saving Aroostook households $879 in taxes by diversifying revenue.
Unlike extractive industries, ATV tourism respects Maine’s ethos — 80% of trails are on private land, maintained by landowner partnerships and volunteers. It’s family-friendly, beginner-accessible, and complements lobster shacks, fall foliage, and Acadia.
Here’s a simple plan to expand it:
Launch a “Ride Maine” marketing push targeting nearby states, bundling rentals ($200 to $400 per day), guided tours, and lodging. Promote four-season riding (summer/fall prime, winter snowmobile crossover). A 10% to 20% registration fee increase adds $500,000 to $1 million yearly to fund expansions.
Invest registration revenue in sustainable infrastructure: Connect trails (e.g., Aroostook loops, Down East Sunrise), enforce size limits, and support erosion control/wildlife protection.
Build partnerships: Link ATV riding with local businesses (breweries, festivals), train residents in guiding/mechanics/hospitality for year-round jobs.
The logic is straightforward: Every 138 visitors supports one job in Aroostook County. Scaling ATV tourism could add tens of millions of dollars in spending and hundreds of jobs that are user-funded, low-impact, rooted in our outdoor heritage.
Maine can escape stagnation by doubling down on what makes us unique: our trails, people and wild spaces. Prioritize this, and government gets reliable revenue while communities gain jobs, lower taxes, and vitality — no soul-selling required. Money talks, values lead. Let’s make it happen.
