FARMINGTON — Business and development leaders throughout Franklin County have joined forces to promote the region under the banner “Maine High Peaks,” with a newly launched website, mainehighpeaks.org.
“The goal is to drive visitation to our region of the state,” said Charlie Woodworth, executive director of Greater Franklin Development Council in a news release. ” We are starting by showcasing exceptional venues that can host corporate team-building retreats, confident that here, amid the mountains, businesses can find ideas as big and bold as these High Peak.”
The project has caught the attention of officials with the Department of Economic and Community Development in Augusta. “The DECD is always looking for new and innovative ways to promote Maine as a place where people want to visit, as well as a place they can live where they work,” said Heather Johnson, ommissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development. “We applaud this collaborative effort to establish a regional brand, Maine High Peaks, as a means to promote and encourage people to come to the beautiful western region of Maine.”
Travis Ferland, owner/manager of the Rangeley Inn says the new website offers detailed information and case studies that demonstrate how Franklin County’s terrain and diverse, group friendly activities are well suited to inspiring creativity.
“The Maine High Peaks website represents high caliber, independent business leaders who are committed to providing not only a first-rate destination for retreats and workshops, but a much-needed platform to engage with organizations that value wellness and the opportunity to interact with Franklin County’s exceptional natural resources,” he said.
The region, already popular among skiers, snowmobilers, hikers, mountain bikers and paddlers, is set up to cater to Maine businesses in need of jump-starting ideas and team building.
“We want to open the door for businesses to tap into their employee’s creativity outside the office,” Woodworth noted. “Maine’s great outdoors, its high peaks, captivate and inspire. And when you bring a group together in in our backyard, we see it time and again, ideas percolate. We see it as inspiration through recreation. Big bold ideas are sparked among the high peaks.”
The website specifically highlights Carrabassett Valley, Eustis, Kingfield, Oquossoc, Rangeley, The Maine Woods, Weld and Wilton. Organizers said it will expand in the future.
