AUGUSTA - A bill introduced, this week by Rep. Anne Perry, D-Calais, would provide support to the many small communities across the state to develop and promote events and natural resource-based tourism opportunities.
LD 807, An Act to Create the Small Communities Tourism Fund, would establish a fund within the Department of Economic and Community Development's Office of Tourism to be awarded to eligible communities.
"This fund will help our small, more rural communities proudly tout all that we have to offer, supporting small businesses like local guiding companies, restaurants and more," said Perry. "Washington County has the longest coastline of any Maine county, the highest tides and produces the most lobster and clam landings across the entire state. This easternmost point of our country is perhaps Maines best kept secret, which in a lot of ways, we love. But there are also untapped economic opportunities here, and throughout our state, that this bill will help promote."
The Legislature referred Perry's bill to the Joint Standing Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business, which will schedule a public hearing in the coming weeks.
Through the Legislature's website, members of the public can view public hearing schedules, sign up to testify live before the committee and access a livestream of the committee hearings online.
Perry represents House District 9 which includes the communities of Baileyville, Baring Plantation, Calais, Eastport, Grand Lake Stream Plantation, Passamaquoddy Indian Township, Meddybemps, Perry, Pleasant Point Voting District, Robbinston Chesterville and Farmington. She serves as the House chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Perry], c. 305-965-2744