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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 27 O C T O B E R 2 , 2 0 1 7 CZB, which off ered a no-nonsense assessment about what the town had to do to survive. Masse says the report, and other economic development experts, stress that big keys to revitalization are out- side investment and local champions who won't take no for an answer. Masse and Haff ord turned out to be both. ey have put $200,000 into reno- vating the 92-year-old Odd Fellows hall, and let community groups use the conference room for free. eir two children, ages 4 and 5, attend area schools, and they say they intend to live in the region for the rest of their lives. Designlab's clients have included L.L.Bean and Dunkin' Donuts, as well as Cary Medical Center in Caribou, Shin Pond Village and the town of Millinocket. 'The core of promising future' Buki says Masse and Haff ord are "a great catch." "John and Jessica bring to Millinocket everything the Maine interior needs more of: A science and technology background, networks in the biomedical community, design and innovation expertise, entrepre- neurial energy and a deep reservoir of enthusiasm," Buki says. e pair, along with innovative Millinocket business owners Matt Polstein at New England Outdoor Center and Tom Shafer of Maine Heritage Timber, "are the core of Maine's promising future," he says. Haff ord said he thought Allagash, his hometown, "was the most special place in the world," until he discovered four or fi ve places just as special in the Katahdin region over the years. So he wasn't afraid to take a chance when the time came. "You can talk until you're blue in the face about the possibilities, but someone has to do it," he says. In August 2015, they formed Katahdin Revitalization with state Rep. Steve Stanley, D-Medway, and area residents Wally Paul and Deb Roundtree. e volunteer group looks for ways to provide direct services that will have an impact in Millinocket, Medway and East Millinocket. When the group formed, the debate over what is now Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument was raging. " e park issue was so divisive," Haff ord says. " ere were all sorts of things that needed to be done, but the park issue would take over." Katahdin Revitalization removed the park from the conversation and it became easy to move forward. e town was still raw from recent events. " ey'd been No. 1 in the world. en to see the stacks come down. Brutal," Haff ord says. e group not only had to fi gure out what steps to take toward economic recov- ery, "but how to do it when the mill is being picked apart like a chicken carcass, and it hurts." "Community resiliency had been damaged," Masse adds. "You can have economic development, but if you don't have community resiliency, it's not going to click." Designlab was the fi rst business downtown to install fi ber optic internet; others are following. Turn the Page, a book store and wine bar, opened in the former Pelletier Family American Loggers restaurant, which closed in August 2015. Other businesses have opened in downtown. Our Katahdin is renovating the building that once housed Miller's department store build- ing, once a Penobscot Avenue anchor. e pair envision a near future with a coff ee shop, maybe a brewery. Restaurants and other businesses will follow. "Investors from out of town are really interested," Haff ord says. "You don't necessarily see it in the store- fronts, but you will in fi ve years." M M , a cor r espondent f o r M a i n e b i z , c a n b e r e a c h e d a t @ . Visit Patrons.com to find an independent Maine agent near you. Everyone is a target. 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We know how to do it righ know how to do it right… the f first time and on time. Designlab 135 Penobscot Ave., Millinocket Founders: Jessica Masse, director of business development, and John Hafford, principal and creative director Founded: 2004 Number of employees: Four on staff, many contract partners What they do: Design and marketing: 89% of business comes from outside the Katahdin area; 67% of revenue is creative services (design and marketing), 12% is web hosting, 9% social media, and 12% other. Contact: 207-723-9988 www.godesignlab.com

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