Businesses and Non-Profits–Expand Your Marketing Reach through Explore Moose Mountains

Photo (Barbara Wilson): Members of the “Explore Moose Mountains” Committee include representatives from the region’s agriculture, dining, conservation, artisan, retail, recreation, government, history, culture, and economic development sectors, including McKenzie’s Farm, The Pink House, Branch River Farm, Moose Mountains Regional Greenways, Strafford Regional Planning Commission, and WEDCO, the lead agency for the grass-roots initiative. New members are always welcome; contact info@wedco-nh.org.

Businesses & Non-Profits: Expand Your Marketing Reach through Explore Moose Mountains/The Moose, New Hampshire

Wolfeboro – As the region gears up for a new summer season, WEDCO (Wentworth Economic Development Corporation) and the grass-roots initiative Explore Moose Mountains are offering free tools for marketing to businesses and non-profits in Brookfield, Farmington, Middleton, Milton, New Durham, Wakefield and Wolfeboro.

Last spring, the groups launched The Moose, New Hampshire Facebook page and it quickly became a “go to” for residents and visitors to learn more about people, places and events of the region. As Tera Davis of Wakefield says, It’s sometimes difficult to juggle everything going on in our busy lives – but now I have The Moose to tell me what’s going on in my area and the best places to check out! I look forward to new ideas as well as new information every day online! Thank you!” Since May of 2017, the page has reached more than 895,000 with its posts about food, events, culture, history, shopping, and unique less-harried lifestyle.

The initiative began in 2014 when a large trash hauler attempted to locate a for-profit dump facility off Route 16. Alarmed that invasive activities like trash dumps, cookie cutter franchises, and harsh industrial activity would chew up their region’s natural beauty and unique character, the grass roots group worked tirelessly to block its entry. Afterwards, they recognized that negative economic activity like a dump could be best countered by positive economic activity.

The group met for several years, researching the current state of the region and ways they could collaboratively strengthen small businesses, allow residents to work locally, and build the region’s rural-based economy. Their report concluded that the area doesn’t lack quality life resources, but that too few people know about all the WONDERFUL going on. They decided to launch an informational and publicity campaign, predicting that improved communication will “attract a broader variety of people to the area,” “increase tax revenue and property values” and “relieve pressure from undesired developments.”

And so, on May 14, 2017, the “The Moose, New Hampshire” Facebook page was born. “The Moose” is a cheerleader for all the WONDERFUL in the region, a megaphone to magnify the efforts of individual entities, as well as groups like Parks and Recreation departments, town groups and Chambers of Commerce.

In addition to The Moose, New Hampshire on Facebook, the group plans to expand into other social media platforms in 2018, and ExploreMooseMountains.org will see further development as a fully searchable site where folks discover great ways to enjoy the region, whether for a casual date night or wedding extravaganza, a vacation or staycation, ongoing activities and special events. Businesses and non-profits wanting to put The Moose to work for them are encouraged to contact WEDCO at info@WEDCO.org or call digital manager Barbara Wilson at 603.986.4191.

Explore Moose Mountains/The Moose, New Hampshire are supported in part by a grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. WEDCO is the 501(c ) (3) lead agent for the initiative.

Celebrating 25 years in 2018, WEDCO is a private nonprofit 501c(3) regional economic development corporation that serves businesses of all sizes in the New Hampshire towns that include Brookfield, Effingham, Farmington, Middleton, Milton, Moultonborough, New Durham, Sandwich, Tuftonboro, Wakefield, and Wolfeboro. Contact Denise Roy-Palmer at 603-569-4216, drp@WEDCO-NH.org or visit www.WEDCO-NH.org to learn more. WEDCO’s office hours are Monday through Wednesday, 9 am to 4:30 pm, and Thursday and Fridays by appointment. WEDCO is also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WEDCONH/