Launch of Moosehead region branding initiative Oct. 3

Contributed Article

    GREENVILLE — The Moosehead Lake Region Economic Development Corporation (MLREDC) will launch a comprehensive branding initiative for the Moosehead Lake region that will create a renewed sense of place for the area, likely building on its rich and storied past and significant natural resource assets.

Observer photo/Mike Lange

    QUIET TIME — The Katahdin steamship is pictured on a late summer afternoon in the East Cove of Moosehead Lake.

    To accomplish this effort, the MLREDC has contracted with a world-renowned community branding and marketing consultant, Roger Brooks International, Inc. (RBI).
    The first opportunity for community input into the initiative will be a public presentation and discussion on Friday, Oct. 3 from 8:30-11:30 a.m. at Greenville Consolidated School.
    “This branding initiative will be a locally driven process that will provide a significant springboard to advance the economic prosperity of the Moosehead Lake Region,” said Amanda Hunt, a life-long resident and MLREDC board member. “We are very excited about this campaign and our continued commitment to grow the international tourism and business reputation of the region.”
    RBI will establish a “locally-driven” collaborative process to develop a branding and marketing action plan for the Moosehead Lake region. RBI’s public input efforts include the Oct. 3 public event and a variety of other research steps, including site visits, applied research and marketing assessments of the region, a “reputation analysis” (learning what is said about the Moosehead region in the major market areas) and a robust public outreach effort involving public workshops and community surveys. Those efforts will conclude by March when RBI presents a branding and marketing action plan for the region.
The Moosehead Lake region has historically been known for its unique character and natural resources and gets its name from its most significant water resource — Moosehead Lake.
    Located at the entrance to Maine’s historic North Woods, Moosehead Lake is a 75,000-acre lake peppered with more than 80 islands and surrounded by vast working forests and scenic mountain ranges.
    Since 1998, more than 400,000 acres of land has been permanently conserved, connecting the region to a conservation corridor of nearly two million acres of permanently conserved woods, waters and mountains running from the Canada border to Baxter State Park.
    The MLREDC’s vision is “The Moosehead Lake region will enjoy a robust, diversified and sustainable economy that leverages the region’s unique character, heritage and spectacular natural resources.”
    MLREDC’s mission is to help grow and sustain local businesses, attract and create new jobs and enhance the economy of the Moosehead Lake region to meet that vision.
    “This branding initiative is directly aligned with both the vision and mission of our organization, and we are excited to begin,” said Hunt.
    In its first year of operation, MLREDC has already established collaborative partnerships with significant regional and statewide stakeholders, all of which will provide either financial and/or technical support to the branding initiative.
    These entities include the Appalachian Mountain Club, Maine Huts and Trails, Forest Society of Maine, town of Greenville, Plum Creek, Northern Forest Canoe Trail, the Nature Conservancy and the Maine Office of Tourism. Discussions are being held with other groups as well.
    To learn more about MLREDC, visit www.mooseheadlakeedc.com.