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V O L . X X V I N O. X X A U G U S T 2 4 , 2 0 2 0 18 G R E A T E R B A N G O R / N O R T H E R N M A I N E F O C U S Another collaboration is one between CEI Inc. and Our Katahdin, a nonprofit that is guiding much of the Millinocket- area economic development. e two have partnered on Baxter Business Works, a six-week business development class for small-business owners, with a curriculum designed by the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs. e inaugural class included owners of a wide range of nine businesses, rang- ing from Downing, of Mt. Chase Lodge, to owners of a coffee roasting business, golf club, excavating business, gift box subscription startup and more. "ere is a lot of optimism across the Katahdin region, driven in large part by all the work these diverse small business owners are doing," said Jennifer Sporzynski, senior vice president for business and workforce development at CEI, when the effort launched. "e excitement is infectious. ere is such a strong commitment to place and invest- ing in the growth and success of the people who live here." Other area development groups, like Four Directions, a community devel- opment corporation that represents the Wabanaki communities, and the Northern Forest Center are also involved in region-wide collaboration. This old lodge When the Downings bought Mt. Chase Lodge in 2016 from Lindsay's parents, Rick and Sara Hill, the five- cabin, eight-room former sporting camp needed some major TLC. It hadn't occurred to the Downings to buy it, but after talking to a local business mentor and considering their experience running the Appalachian Mountain Club's Gorman Chairback Lodge, outside of Greenville, they took the plunge. ey've put thousands of dollars into roofs, windows, a furnace, cabin fixups and more. ey also upgraded the dining and turned it into a community-dining style restaurant, open to the public as well as lodge guests. In the pandemic era, they've switched to outdoor dining at large picnic tables, made by a local Amish woodworker. What they didn't expect, Downing says, is that things would go so well so soon. Clientele has steadily grown at the year-round lodge, many attracted by the spectacular outdoors. e lodge is 16 miles from the north entrance of the national monu- ment and also on the road between Patten and Baxter State Park's north- ern gate. Other area outdoor attrac- tions are the Penobscot River Trails, in Grindstone, and the New England Outdoor Center, which now has two hubs in Millinocket. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, including restrictions to how many rooms they can make available, busi- ness at the lodge is better than ever. Downing says she sees the same type of growth that the lodge has had in the region itself. "e area has done nothing but grow and invest in itself in the last five years," she says. "It's a place people want to be." Maureen Milliken, Mainebiz senior writer, can be reached at mmilliken @ mainebiz.biz » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E 1 COLLEGE CIRCLE, BANGOR ME 207.941.7000 | husson.edu BUSINESS | COMMUNICATIONS | COUNSELING | CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION | HEALTH | PHARMACY | SCIENCE & HUMANITIES | TECHNOLOGY Maine has a bright future ahead. We're helping to make it happen. At Husson University, we're investing in our state's future by preparing students to become leaders. And by constructing our new College of Business building, where tomorrow's jobs will be created through STEAM-focused incubator learning spaces. Helping nonprofits adapt, connect + lead We're here for people with purpose NonprofitMaine.org Lindsay and Mike Downing, owners of the Mt. Chase Lodge, are the kind of young entrepreneurs that the Katahdin Region is ripe for. They bought the lodge, on Shin Pond, from Lindsay's parents and are raising their children, Walter and Annie, there. P H O T O S / C O U R T E S Y O F T H E D OW N I N G FA M I LY

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