RANGELEY — Rangeley Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce was recently awarded a $303,150 grant to support the chamber’s Scenic Byway Ambassador Program and other community initiatives over three years.

The grant from the Northern Border Regional Commission Catalyst Program was established to strengthen communities and support local businesses.

Ambassadors meet and greet visitors at three of the region’s scenic overlooks: Height of Land on Route 17 in Rangeley Plantation, Whip Willow on Route 4 in Rangeley, and on Quill Hill in Dallas Plantation. The paid representatives of the region sign up to work two or three hour shifts, covering the three key visitor attractions Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon. Additionally, an ambassador is often stationed on Quill Hill on Friday and Saturday evenings for sunset.

The program begins Memorial Day weekend and typically runs through foliage season.

The idea first developed under Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust in 2021. The chamber took over the program in time for Memorial Day.

“We’re thrilled to see the Byway Ambassador Program continue under the Rangeley Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce,” Ally Kaiser, executive director of the Rangeley Lakes Chamber of Commerce, said in an email on Wednesday, July 16. “This program is a natural fit for us because it extends the personal touch and local expertise we provide at our Visitor Center directly to where visitors are entering our region. We’re in the business of making authentic recommendations, and the Ambassador Program allows us to foster genuine connections between visitors, our community, local businesses, and the unique experiences that make the Rangeley Lakes Region so special.”

Mary Holmes ran the Heritage Trust program last year and stayed on as it transitioned to the chamber.

“Under RLHT, it was a combination of getting the word out about Rangeley and Rangeley businesses, and also about educating people about lands, conservation,” Holmes said in a phone call Wednesday, July 24. “The transition to the chamber has been phenomenal.”

Jim Ferrara, who organized the Heritage Trust program for the first three and a half years, said he was glad the program got off the ground.

“Amanda Laliberte did a great job of getting it going,” he said during a phone interview Thursday, July 25. “Ambassadors suggest restaurants, food, bars and ice cream; and places to go to people who have never been here. I think that is what makes it a good fit for the chamber.”

Holmes explained the idea is for ambassadors to approach those who look approachable, make introductions and break the ice.

“Sometimes it is as simple as seeing someone take a picture and asking them if they would like their picture taken,” she said. “Really, it is just having an organic conversation, asking if they have been here before, where they are from and what they plan on doing while in the area.”

After turning over the reins to Holmes, Ferrara stayed with the program as an ambassador.

Ambassadors have a name tag to make them identifiable. They carry a copy of the chamber’s regional guide, which has a QR code on the back cover. Scanning the code allows visitors to download a digital copy to their phone. They also carry a map to help direct visitors to areas of interest.

“The map is what makes me look really official,” Ferrara joked.

He said ambassadors, working in pairs, will approach visitors and say, “We are National Scenic Byway Ambassadors. We are here to welcome you and to answer any questions you may have.”

Offering to take a picture is a great icebreaker, he added.

“We get a lot of positive feedback right out of the gate,” Ferrara said. “Then we ask if they have been to the area before. That usually drives the whole conversation. Sometimes they are just driving through. Sometimes they are here for a night, or a weekend, or a week.”

Ambassadors read the room, so to speak, to get a feel for what the group might be interested in, whether it be stopping for a quick photo; or learning about campsites and hiking trails, dinner and a theater show, museum and library programs, or a place to get a beverage and stay for a few nights.

“We ask ambassadors to read the chamber’s weekly newsletter so they are educated about what is going on and so they can share all the wonderful things Rangeley has to offer,” Holmes said.

Ferrara said he makes area recommendations based on the first few minutes of conversation.

“Once you get into it, the conversation can go anywhere. It is just a lot of fun,” Ferrara added. “The longer you talk to people, the more you learn that there is no three degrees of separation. It is more like one degree. You talk to people from here in Maine, even people from away, you will get some commonality somewhere. It is shocking, really.”

Ferrara recalled a National Scenic Byway conference in New Hampshire that he attended a few years ago.

“There were representatives from all over the country. We talked to quite a few of them and no one, that we are aware of, has a program like this. It is definitely unique. It is fun and it is so helpful for so many people. Of the people we talk to, I’d say 90 to 95 percent of them love what we do. A few don’t want to talk and that is understandable. The vast majority are very appreciative,” he explained.

The bulk of ambassadors are retired but Holmes is working on changing that demographic.

“Ally has taken this on and it is amazing,” Holmes said. “She is super efficient, caring and she is going to make this work. I enjoy working with her. She gives me more motivation to be creative and grow the program. My goal for next year is to try to capture more young people. This would be a good job for someone home from college. It can be a little weird at first, approaching people you don’t know. Once you get into it, it is super fun.”

Ferrara said he continues to be an ambassador because he enjoys the connection he makes with people and likes being able to share the highlights of the area.

“In this day and age, where there is so much polarization, it gives me more faith in humanity, he said. “You meet people looking at the view and they just love it. They are here for that. They aren’t here for politics or anything other than to get away and enjoy the beautiful view we have.”