A Month @ MOB: July Issue

In by Rebecka Dykstra

Welcome to the 11th edition of “A Month @ MOB,” a roundup of news and events in Maine’s outdoor industry each month:

Opinion: How to cure loneliness in Maine? Invest in public spaces

Betsy Cook, the Maine State Director of The Trust for Public Land, advocates for increased, equitable investments in parks and public lands.

New Find a Guide tool from Maine Professional Guides Association

This convenient addition to the Maine Professional Guides Association’s website — developed with support from Maine Guides Education Fund and L.L. Bean – allows users to search within a directory of registered guides by name, keyword, activity, and/or region. 

Solvitall has launched their Indiegogo 

Solvitall, a natural alternative to petroleum-based lubricants like WD-40, has launched their crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo.

Survue & Velo.AI Bringing Artificial Intelligence to Bicycle Tail Lights

Read about Survue, a startup providing AI vehicle detection for cyclists, in this BikeRumor article. Survue is now live on Kickstarter.

Why UK Surf Brand Finisterre is Dropping Anchor in a Small Maine Surf Shop

Katherine Englishman explains how the partnership between Finisterre and Maine Surfers Union came to be.

Don’t Let a Lack of Gear Keep You From Enjoying The Maine Woods

Maine is home to a growing number of outdoor gear lending and repair libraries. Hear from Josh Bossin of Maine GearShare, and learn more about Skowhegan Outdoors and Kindling Collective.

Hazel Crabtree receives Maine Outdoor Brands Scholarship

Read about Maine Outdoor Brands 2024 Scholarship recipient, Hazel Crabtree, who was recognized in this article by the Penobscot Bay Pilot.

Acadia National Park visitation was down this spring, but officials expect a big year

Visitation at Acadia National Park so far is down compared to last year, but officials are hopeful that the Fourth of July holiday weekend and upcoming busy season will boost overall numbers.

With a nod to summer campfires, Portland startup Marin Skincare expands product line

Marin Skincare launched a Campfire S’mores lip treatment, their newest offering that uses lobster glycoprotein to hydrate, soothe, and repair the skin barrier.

L.L.Bean steps up its out-of-state expansion plans

The Maine-based outdoor company is planning to open three out-of-state locations this fall, in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Indiana. L.L.Bean’s new store in Kingston, New York has already seen over 25,000 customers since opening this May.

Governor Mills Announces Nearly $3 Million in Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan Grants to Strengthen Sales of Maine Made Products

46 Maine businesses have received $2.9 million in grants from the Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan. MOB is thrilled to announce that we have received a $100,000 Domestic Trade Grant from the Mills Administration and the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development’s Domestic Trade Program, aimed at boosting the sales of Maine-made products nationwide (learn more). Congratulations to MOB members Grain Surfboards, Maine Fly Company and Marin Skincare for also receiving grants.