Chamber vows to ‘work hard’ in tough economy

ANNUAL GALA — More than 260 business leaders from across Western Maine
converged on the Hebron Academy’s Sargent Memorial Gymnasium, January 31,
for the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce annual dinner.  (photo by Duke Harrington)

HEBRON — If, having just arrived on the planet, you had happened inside Hebron Academy’s Sargent Memorial Gym, Saturday evening, you wouldn’t have know that we are one-year deep into a national recession.

Although the economic mood everywhere is gloomy, it was all smiles and forward-looking Yankee pragmatism at the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce (OHCC) annual dinner and award banquet.

“On the national economic front, we are facing a level of uncertainty about our future that we have not faced in long, long time,” said outgoing chamber Chairman Michael Newsom, of W. J. Wheeler & Co., of Paris.

“But the people of the Oxford Hills are no strangers to adversity, and I’m not just talking about the weather,” said Newsom.  “We are a resourceful, resilient people and there is nothing coming down the road that we cannot handle together.”

Nine business leaders were recognized for outstanding  contributions during the past year, Chamber leaders promised a laser-like focus on local needs, and the CEO of the Maine’s only private company dedicated to luring new business to Maine urged attendees to focus on their strengths, and to think big.

Matthew Jacobson, CEO of Maine and Company, spoke before a capacity crowd of more than 260 people, saying that success is tied to three key ingredients — business climate, an educated work force and a willingness to increase its environmental standards.

Credited with recruiting T-Mobile, Athena Health, NotifyMD and Boston Financial Data Services to the state, Jacobson focused on one failure.  Maine lost out to Tupelo, MS, on a $1.6 billion Toyota plant, Jacobson said, because Tupelo had met all three points.

After speaking with his counterpart in Tupelo, Jacobson said he learned that it was the only one of the final three cities under consideration by Toyota willing to raise its air quality standards to meet the manufacturers demands.  The others were afraid doing so might hurt existing businesses.

Mississippi also was willing to pass a $300 million bond package, some of which went to area community colleges  to train potential plant workers, while other dollars went to create an auto industry research and development program at the University of Mississippi.

Jacobson pointed out that Maine also voted in $300 million in bonds that same year on roads, bridges and conservation projects, but it was Tupelo that got 10,000 jobs.

“We don’t have to spend more money,” he said.  “We spent the same money.  They’re just more focused.”

Jacobson urged local business leaders to think regionally.

"This individual town and city attack, you're not big enough to compete," he said.

As an example, Jacobson focused his talk on Maine’s tourism industry, and its efforts to attract cruise ships.  Although he apologized that none are due to dock at in South Paris, Jacobson said the area can benefit if Maine will only look beyond its current philosophy, which he described as “Get ‘em off the boat; get ‘em to L. L. Bean’s; fill up their bags; get ‘em back on the boat.”

Jacobson said Maine needs to spend enough on marketing to lure up to 1,500 cruise ships up and down the coast, not just the $65,000 is spends to bring 202 ships to Portland each year.

Jacobson said Maine also should invest in education to train cruise ship captains and hospitality crews here in the state, and to provision ships with Maine produce.  The state also can revitalize downtowns by filling empty storefronts with cruise line corporate headquarters.

“Tourism is our biggest industry and there is no place in Maine to get a four-year degree in hospitality, culinary arts or hotel management,” said Jacobson.  “Why isn’t the best university in the world for tourism in Maine?  We can do that, and that’s how we are going to win.”

Facing front

In his remarks, Newsom acknowledged “more than a few challenges” for the Chamber in the past few years, including “leadership turnovers, financial difficulties and a set of programs and events that didn’t always meet expectations.”

However, in handing the gavel over to incoming Chairman Sue Goulet, owner of Goulet Enterprises, Newsom said the Chamber is “stronger today than it has been in the past and is in a better position to achieve its mission to help our members succeed.”

Prime among those strengths — the “single greatest step,” said Newsom — was the May hiring of Steve Wallace as OHCC Executive Director.  For his efforts during the first nine months of his tenure, Wallace received a hearty ovation from the crowd.

“I’m really glad that the board of directors chose to take a chance on this former Marine living in Auburn,” said Wallace, as he acknowledged the applause.

Wallace said job one, when he took the OHCC helm was to poll its members.  Based on interviews with some 125 area business Wallace said he and the OHCC board decided to jettison “all the fluffy words” that dominated past Chamber agendas.

“Now, the mission statement of this Chamber is very simple,” said Wallace.  “We are going to help our members succeed. 

“For some members that might mean legislative advocacy,” said Wallace.  “For others it might be [help with] marketing, for others it might be sales, but no matter what you do, if you are a member of the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce, my goal, and the goal of the directors and the goal of all volunteers of this organization is to make your business succeed.  Period.  It’s just that simple.”

Newsom also credited seven new directors, who fill out the OHCC board to its maximum 18 seats.  Those new leaders include: Bob Klar (Design First Homes), Dawn Minigell (Modern Woodmen of America), Eric Lammers (Krack Media), Heath Poland (Flanders Electric), Khristopher Lalemand (Designs By Skip), Kristen Serles (Concentra) and Matt Delamater (Northeast Bank). 

They join sitting board members Amanda Huotari (Celebration Barn Theater), Becky Mason (Norway Savings Bank), H. Sawin Millett, Jr. (state representative) and Sharon Buffington (Western Maine Health Care) as well as the Chamber’s new executive committee — President Sue Goulet (Goulet Enterprises), Vice Chair Helga Thurston (Paris Cape Realty), 2nd Vice Chair Glen Holmes (Buckfield town manager), Treasurer Diana McLaughlin (Western Maine Health Care), Doug Van Durme (Bessey Motors), Terry Hayes (state rep.) and Newsom.

“We took an awful hard look at where we’ve been,” said Newsom.  “We’ve identified some new long-term strategic goals in the areas of finance, personnel, leadership, public relations and programs. 

“These are the areas in which we have struggled in the past,” said Newsom, “but I think we will become a force of strength in the future.”

New initiatives include a business success seminar series, a redesigned business showcase, several new fundraisers and a “buy local” campaign.

“A new executive director, seven new board members, a new mission, new goals and new programs,” said Newsom.  “Not a bad year, by my count.”

All that remained was for Wallace to outline what he expects to happen from here on.

“I am a believer that attitude follows conversation,” said Wallace.  “My conversation is always going to be positive because my attitude is always going to be positive.

“I will work hard with anyone who wants to work hard with me,” said Wallace, “to make this the best, pound-for-pound, chamber in the state.”