North Quabbin Woods Clippings

October 20, 2005 -- Tourism Grant Payment

State Senator Stephen Brewer (D-Barre) and State Representative Chris Donelan (D-Orange) Wednesday delivered to the North Quabbin Chamber of Commerce the first installment of a $50,000 state grant to promote tourism in the region. The funds will be used to further enhance the North Quabbin Woods tourism development project started almost three years ago.

 

Brewer, who was instrumental in securing the funds, stated that he was pleased that the legislature and the governor recognized the efforts of the North Quabbin Woods Project and chose to support the program. “The North Quabbin region has a substantial tourism potential and the revenues generated by tourists could make a much more significant contribution to the area’s economy,” said Brewer. 

 

Donelan echoed Brewer’s comments, stating, “The area’s hills and valleys, lakes and streams, abundance of set aside land, hiking trails and farms, along with the artisans and local woodworkers who work here have an appeal to a wide variety of tourists. This grant will go a long way toward attracting them to the North Quabbin Woods.”

 

The grant will be used to fund a variety of projects and programs related to the development of tourism in the area. The existing North Quabbin Woods website will be completed and substantially upgraded to make it more user friendly and interactive. Additionally, the site’s information will be expanded considerably, with downloadable maps and other local information and links.

 

The Tully Trail Map/Brochure, which was so popular this past year that the supply ran out long before the demand, will be updated, expanded and reprinted in much larger quantities. Several other brochures will be updated and re-designed to reflect the unity of design and style of the North Quabbin Woods brand. A new area wide attraction guide and map also will be developed, geared to tout local natural resources to the ecotourist.

 

Two of the region’s major events, which compliment the North Quabbin Woods ecotourism effort, also will benefit from the grant. Both the River Rat Spectacular and the Garlic Festival have become two-day events. Assistance will be provided to both groups to attempt to build the second day’s activities. Several smaller North Quabbin Woods-brand supporting projects also will be pursued.

 

The North Quabbin Woods Project began three years ago with a demonstration grant from the Ford Foundation to the New England Forest Foundation. The project hopes to spur renewed and sustainable economic activity through the careful and thoughtful exploitation of valuable natural resources. The three-tiered project includes forestry, the development of local wood products, artisans and tourism. To date, the project has produced a regional identity guide, branding effort, tourism brochures, a website, an outdoor guide training program, wood products marketing assistance, multiple training courses for wood lot managers, a local wood products retail store and a host of other activities. The project now includes a number of local groups, programs and individuals, all working to assure a sustainable successful effort.