Introducing “A Month @ MOB”! A compilation of 10 exciting things happening in Maine’s outdoor industry each month. Read below to discover what unfolded during the past month:
Allspeed announced as a 2023 MBDA Retailer Excellence Award Winner
The National Bicycle Dealers Association (NBDA) has announced the 2023 winners of the Retailer Excellence Awards (REA). 82 retailers from across North America were awarded this recognition in levels of Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze. These levels were based on application score and online presence, including website and social feeds. Allspeed Cyclery and Snow was awarded the gold tier excellence award!
Saddleback Mountain opens lift service mountain biking
The Saddleback Bike Park’s regular hours of operation are Thursday – Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m with the last chair loading at 3:47 p.m. The bike park is open for pedal power access outside of lift operations hours, but you still need to purchase a ticket.
Opolis Optics receives MTI Grant to accelerate IP development
Opolis was awarded an MTI Grant this month to expand and refine their award-winning StokedPlastic® blend. The grant supports research and development to scale and diversify the blend’s reach and functionality. This advancement not only tackles plastic pollution but also positions Maine as a testing ground for exploring other applications of the blend, including pharmaceuticals, automotive, and hard goods.
Maine Fly Company wins silver in Greenlight Maine
Greenlight Maine Productions creates programming which promotes and awards funding to entrepreneurs and innovators in Maine. Maine Fly Company, which honors Maine’s fly fishing culture and heritage through the quality craftsmanship of small batch fishing rods, won silver!
Registration is open for the Maine Outdoor Economy Summit
The Maine Outdoor Economy Summit is a three-day event for professional development, ideation, and discussions on essential topics impacting Maine’s outdoor industry in the areas of economic development, workforce, access, and equity, produced by MOB and the Maine State Office of Outdoor Recreation. Register now before it sells out!
Legislature adjourned after passing a handful of outdoor recreation related bills
Read MOB’s blogpost Legislative Landscape for Maine’s Outdoor Industry: A Recap of the 131st Legislature’s Most Impactful Bills to find out more!
Jon Kachmar hired as Maine Trails’ new Executive Director
Portland Trails’ new director sees his role as much more than just providing locals a way to get outdoors. To Jon Kachmar, a long-time Portland resident, trails are an important part of an equitable society. Read more at the link above!
Blueprint Surf starts 3D printing surfboards at the Roux Institute in Portland
Is it possible to 3d-print a surfboard that’s as beautiful as the Acadia coast, as durable as a Downeast lobster boat, and as fun as a day at Higgins Beach? Oh, and make sure you’re on the right side of the global plastic crisis and minimizing your carbon footprint. Those are the real challenges that Blueprint Surf is passionate about. Check them out at the link above!
Governor Baxter launches a collaboration with Filson
This new co-branded offering is a reversible wool vest handcrafted in Maine by local sail makers. The Filson x Governor Baxter vest fuses Filson’s signature dry-finish Tin Cloth with Governor Baxter’s private stock of wool fabric recovered from vintage military blankets once used by soldiers on the ground or at sea.
The official City of Portland permit has been issued for the Rippleffect Outdoor Community Center
The Rippleffect Outdoor Community Center is a partnership with Portland Public Schools and the City of Portland to bring outdoor education and adventure to Portland. The goal of the community center is to forge deeper connections with the Portland community, expand Rippleffect’s program offerings, and provide Maine youth with equitable access to the outdoors.