Sometimes innovation isn’t about creating something entirely new—it’s about unlocking the full potential of something that’s already there.
For years, Ellsworth’s business attraction website, formerly “discoverellsworth.com,” helped the City of Ellsworth guide prospective business owners through the local government process of planning and licensing. But as our city has grown and evolved, it became clear that we needed a more comprehensive and compelling way to showcase everything that makes Ellsworth special.
Thanks to a Maine Office of Tourism (MOT) “Tourism Marketing & Development Recovery Program” grant secured by Heart of Ellsworth and implemented in partnership with the City of Ellsworth, that vision has become a reality with the launch of DiscoverEllsworth.org. The initiative represents a strategic investment in Ellsworth’s future and a collaborative effort to position our city as a year-round destination and the regional hub of Downeast and Acadia.
The website is much more than a tourism platform: it is a digital front door to our community. Visitors can explore interactive maps, discover local businesses and events, access curated itineraries, and uncover the authentic experiences that make Ellsworth unique—from our vibrant downtown and local trails to our restaurants, arts, history, and waterfront.
The project was made possible through a remarkable collaboration among community partners, local businesses, and tourism stakeholders. Special recognition is due to HUB Ltd., whose expertise in destination branding, tourism strategy, content development, and digital storytelling helped transform the community’s vision into a modern marketing platform that showcases Ellsworth at its very best, including beautiful designs like this regional map. Additionally, the initiative delivered a comprehensive tourism marketing strategy, a regional destination brand, hundreds of professional photos and videos, visitor analytics tools, and a shared roadmap for strengthening the local visitor economy.
For local businesses, Discover Ellsworth creates new opportunities to connect with visitors, increase visibility, and encourage longer stays and greater local spending. For residents, it offers a new way to explore, celebrate, and share the community we love.
At the Union River Center for Innovation, we see projects like DiscoverEllsworth.org as powerful examples of what can happen when strategic investment, creativity, and collaboration come together around a shared vision. When communities tell their story well, they attract visitors, entrepreneurs, investment, and opportunity.
We encourage everyone to visit DiscoverEllsworth.org, explore what is available, and help share Ellsworth’s story with the world. The future of our region is being written together, and this exciting new website is helping tell that story one visitor at a time.
Submitted by Twila Fisher, Economic Development Director, City of Ellsworth