CARIBOU – With three years remaining on the Northern Maine Development Commission’s Five-Year Tourism Business Plan for northern Maine, several projects are done or on their way to being done.

During an NMDC board of directors meeting late last week, the group received a progress update on the number of projects listed in the strategic plan.

Goals met or touched upon include developing scenic drives, creating new snowmobile maps and guides, video- and audio-tourism guides and establishing a regional hospitality training program.

New snowmobile maps were printed and distributed last fall, and NMDC is in the process of developing downloadable snowmobile maps of area trails using Google Earth.

A segment of Route 11 in the Fish River Valley of Aroostook County also has been designated as one of the state’s scenic byways.

The group provided partial funding for “Voici the Valley,” an audio tour of the history and places of the St. John Valley.

Several projects are on NMDC’s radar for the future, including creating a wildlife watching plan that will identify bird-watching groups in the region and feature contact information for guide associations and game wardens, and also craft a marketing effort for a new Aroostook County Tourism logo.

The board aims to accomplish the remaining action items on its list in the next three years.

The Five-Year Tourism Business Plan was developed by NMDC and Aroostook County Tourism and unveiled in December 2005. Residents, economic development officials and business leaders participated in public outreach sessions to develop the plan.