NEWPORT — Preservation Trust of Vermont has awarded Memphremagog Community Maritime (MCM) and the Northern Star a $50,000 community revitalization grant that will help preserve and support the activities of the local cruise ship.
MCM is a non-profit organization with a mission to promote and provide educational, research, and tourism opportunities that bring people together to celebrate and share great experiences on and around Lake Memphremagog.
The Northern Star will serve as a gateway to understanding and learning about Lake Memphremagog and the community.
“We have been working on this grant for over two years, and it has finally come to fruition,” said David Converse, Board President of MCM.
In addition to scenic, lunch, dinner, private, and themed cruises, MCM will utilize the Northern Star for educational purposes as well.
“Education is going to be a key part of Memphremagog Community Maritime and the Northern Star,” said Rick Desrochers, Executive Director of MCM. “It’s not going to be just the Northern Star, we want to reach out to as many businesses and people as possible. This is about building community partnerships, and it is going to take everybody coming together to make Newport and the Northeast Kingdom someplace special.”
The partnership between the Preservation Trust and Memphremagog Community Maritime is expected to strengthen and improve upon the common goal of both organizations.
“Newport is truly a special place,” stated Ben Doyle, the President of the Preservation Trust of Vermont. “This investment in the Northern Star recognizes the wonderful work community leaders have accomplished as they seek to ‘return to the lake’ and leverage outdoor recreation assets for greater economic activity in the downtown.”
