Mainebiz

V O L . X X I N O. X V J U LY 1 3 , 2 0 1 5 16 e transportation plan will fold in development issues related to the Acadia Gateway Center and the Schoodic Education and Research Center, new park-related projects that were fast-tracked in 2009 by about $13 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Acadia Gateway's first-phase bus maintenance facility was completed, but a visitor center and transportation hub remain on the drawing board. SERC is up and running, but with this summer's open- ing of a nearby campground, Acadia plans to proac- tively examine ways to prevent issues with traffic that are expected to increase in this quieter area of the park. In the meantime, record visitation has been good for surrounding communities. In 2014, Acadia's visitors spent $221 million on amenities and essential services such as lodging, food and gas, supporting an estimated 3,486 jobs and having a total economic benefit of $271 million. Visitor spending was split among lodging (30.6%), food and beverages (20.3%), gas and oil (11.9%), admissions and fees (10.2%) and souvenirs and other expenses (9.9%), according to the park service. MEMBER FDIC Let's Make It Happen. Call Today: 1.888.725.2207 Isn't it your business? grow time to You have the strategy. NORWAY SAVINGS HAS YOUR BACK. OUR BUSINESS PRODUCTS • Commercial Lending • Online Banking Services • Checking & Savings Accounts • Money Market Accounts • Remote Deposit Capture • Cash Management Services • Health Savings Accounts Norway Savings Commercial Team Dana Tait, Melissa Babineau, Dan Walsh, Rick Flagg, and Rob Harville norwaysavingsbank.com » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E 1930s 1920s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s '10s 0 1M 2M 3M 4M 5M 6M Acadia National Park backgrounder Acadia National Park includes parts of Mount Desert Island, Isle au Haut and Schoodic Peninsula. The National Park Service protects 47,000 acres, including 35,332 owned by the park service and 12,416 under private ownership with conservation easements managed by the park service Acadia's roots date to July 8, 1916, with the Sieur de Monts National Monument. It was named Lafayette National Park on Feb. 26, 1919, and was renamed Acadia National Park on Jan. 19, 1929. Visitation peaked in 1989, at 5.4 million people. In 2014, it had 2.56 million visitors, up from 2.25 million in 2013 and a 43-year low of 2.07 million in 2008. Budget: $8.1 million (FY 2016, proposed); $8 million (FY 2015); $7.8 million (FY 2014) S O U R C E : National Park Service Acadia National Park visitors, 1919–2014

• Cover