ISLAND FALLS, Maine – Southern Aroostook planners are pulling out all the stops to make towns off I-95, like Island Falls, Patten and Houlton, more than just visitor pitstops en route to more northern Maine outdoor recreation locations.
The Southern Aroostook and northern Penobscot regions are fast becoming an outdoor hub for entrepreneurs looking to tap into the region’s four-season draw. Surrounded by motorsports trails, hiking and biking trails, rivers, lakes and secluded hideaways, the area has significant potential to transform sleepy rural locations into destination stops, planners said.
“Our region has incredible natural assets, and when communities, businesses and entrepreneurs work together, we can create experiences that attract visitors while strengthening our local economy,” said Johanna Johnston, executive director of the Southern Aroostook Development Corporation.
Drawing on last season’s dramatic 50% growth in County tourism and the unprecedented success of the 2024 total solar eclipse, planners want to continue that momentum.
The eclipse marked a significant change for Houlton. As planners prepared for thousands of eclipse chasers seeking a path of totality experience, some wondered if people would actually come, some worried they could not handle such an influx of visitors, while others got to work.
That spirit of cooperative planning made it possible to host nearly 25,000 global visitors over that April 2024 weekend, eclipse planners said.
“We welcomed a significant number of visitors who were drawn here for a unique experience, and many of them discovered everything else we have to offer while they were here,” Johnston said. “The opportunity now is to continue building on that momentum in a way that supports both new and existing businesses.”
The possibilities are endless, said Johnston, pointing to such entrepreneurial ventures as bike or canoe rentals, glamping sites, outdoor catering, guide services, a local artisan gallery or even a gear repair and supply shop.
“We hope to show people the possibilities that exist in the outdoor recreation economy right here in Northern Maine,” Johnston said. “Outdoor recreation doesn’t just support tourism — it creates opportunities for communities and businesses across the region to work together to create experiences that attract visitors and help existing businesses grow.”
On Wednesday night about 100 people attended an Outdoor Adventure Summit, hosted by the development corporation at the Island Falls town office to hear advice and insights from outdoor recreation experts in a panel discussion moderated by entrepreneur Fred Grant.
The summit brought together experienced operators, tourism professionals and resource partners to offer the support budding entrepreneurs need to turn visions into real ventures, Johnston said.
Panelists included Matt Polstein, founder and owner of New England Outdoor Center and Twin Pine Camps in Millinocket; Scot Walker, co-owner of Va Jo Wa Golf Course, The Slice Restaurant and organizer of the Walker Settlement Concerts in Island Falls; and Sheena McNally, manager of the Maine State Visitor Information Center in Houlton.
Polstein, a registered Maine guide and executive director of Maine River Trails LLC and the Maine Outdoor Education Program, shared the ups and downs of developing the business he founded four decades ago.
“The thing that I find when it comes to recreation tourism is you can’t be mediocre, you need to be at the front edge of quality,” he said. “Aim high. Aiming for the middle will not get you the results you are looking for. You really need something special to make them come here and come back.”
He encouraged business owners to diversify and to not be in a hurry because developing an outdoor business takes time. He encouraged people thinking of starting an outdoor business to realize it will not happen overnight.
Start small and grow incrementally, Polstein said.
In rural communities, relationships, reputation, and word-of-mouth are incredibly valuable, and those take time to build, Johnston said.
“But they also create very loyal customer bases. Success here is absolutely achievable, and often more resilient, when it’s built thoughtfully from the ground up,” she said.
One attendee asked the panelists about the lack of places to stay and eat in the region. But Walker, who represents the entrepreneurial side of outdoor tourism in Island Falls, pointed out that there are actually many places to stay.
A lot of accommodations today — Airbnb rentals, campsites, and seasonal stays — aren’t always highly visible unless you’re actively searching for them, but they are being utilized, Johnston said, adding that a new glamping site for Island Falls was just approved.
Those attending the summit had business ideas and asked questions related to their vision.
“Several attendees mentioned ideas like shuttle and transportation services, as well as collaborative “package” experiences that connect multiple businesses,” Johnston said. “It really felt like the beginning of idea generation.”
