Increasing tourism is a common economic strategy for rural communities, but some, including one in northern Maine, are taking that a step further with "lifestyle" investments. Aroostock County, which has the largest land area of a U.S. county east of the Mississippi River, this week is hosting the World Cup in biathlon, a combination of skiing and shooting. The event, which is expected to attract 35,000 spectators, is just the latest step in the county's attempt to build a tourism reputation around a skiing lifestyle, the Daily Yonder reports.
"Andy Shepherd, a former L.L. Bean strategist, and others created the Maine Winter Sports Center in 1999, to develop a new economic model for Northern Maine,'" the Yonder reports. The founders, using funding from the Libra Foundation, set out to create "a model for the sustainability of rural communities through a skiing lifestyle." Local schools provide ski programs for students. "Nationally, 'lifestyle' economies seem to be the trails of the future," the Yonder observes. "Aroostook’s endeavor – focusing on a winter sport with health benefits and tourist potential, as well as ties to local history and culture – is a visionary idea." (Read more)
"Andy Shepherd, a former L.L. Bean strategist, and others created the Maine Winter Sports Center in 1999, to develop a new economic model for Northern Maine,'" the Yonder reports. The founders, using funding from the Libra Foundation, set out to create "a model for the sustainability of rural communities through a skiing lifestyle." Local schools provide ski programs for students. "Nationally, 'lifestyle' economies seem to be the trails of the future," the Yonder observes. "Aroostook’s endeavor – focusing on a winter sport with health benefits and tourist potential, as well as ties to local history and culture – is a visionary idea." (Read more)
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