Industry Market Analysis: Outdoor Rec & Local Food

In June, nonprofit Main Street Skowhegan hired—thanks to grant funding from the Maine Community Foundation—economic development consulting firm Camoin Associates to conduct an industry market analysis for Skowhegan. Camoin will focus research and analysis on the outdoor recreation and local food sectors to identify opportunities for business development and economic growth in these industries. Findings will be shared with community leaders, business owners, developers, and new entrepreneurs. 

As the outdoor recreation economy continues to show growth around the country, now is the time for Skowhegan to take advantage of this trend—especially with the future addition of Run of River, a whitewater paddle and surf park in Skowhegan’s downtown river gorge. 

Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Pilot Program

The industry market analysis dovetails nicely with the Community Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Pilot Program, a project currently underway in Skowhegan. Led by Kristina Cannon of Main Street Skowhegan, a team of community members, is assessing the support systems available to entrepreneurs, determining gaps, and drafting a plan to improve Skowhegan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

Armed with data from the industry market analysis and grant funding from the Maine Community Foundation, the Skowhegan team will implement projects from the plan to that will strengthen support for new and existing entrepreneurs and encourage new investment in Skowhegan. 

Skowhegan was selected as one of three Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Pilot Program communities in the state of Maine. Many thanks to the Maine Community Foundation, Maine Downtown Center, and National Main Street Center for making this project possible. 

Please contact Kristina Cannon (kristina@mainstreetskowhegan.org) at Main Street Skowhegan for more details about either of these projects.