May 12, 2008 – Snowmobile Digest

Ontario Invests $3 Million for Snowmobile Trails

In an effort to improve tourism in Ontario, the province’s government has granted $3 million to the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs.
The money will be used throughout the year to maintain trails across Ontario and promote the province as a snowmobile tourism destination, which will also promote economic development, job creation and business opportunities in rural Ontario.
The government hopes to attract more sports and adventure tourists to use the province’s nearly 25,000 miles of snowmobile trails.
The funding was announced at the Go Snowmobiling Campaign meeting. The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs plans to allocate the money on a district basis according to the new Trails Strategic Plan. The organization hopes to have as many improvements as possible complete for the 2008-2009 season.
“Snowmobiling brings jobs and economic benefits to communities across Ontario,” said Peter Fonseca, Ontario minister of tourism. “This investment will stimulate prosperity in rural and northern regions.”

Maine Snowmobilers to Pay Higher Registration Fees

Maine Gov. John Baldacci signed into law a bill that increases snowmobile registration fees for residents from $33 to $35 per person, and for nonresidents the seasonal registration went from $68 to $88, according to the Boston Globe.
The increase in funds will go to the state Snowmobile Trail Fund. Snowmobiliers say the trail system needs better maintenance and asked the Legislature to hike the registration fees with most of the increase going toward grooming. psb