HEBRON – The chief of a nonprofit seeking to recruit and expand businesses in Maine said Saturday evening that regional development is necessary to grow the state’s economy.

Matthew C. Jacobson, president and CEO of Maine and Company, spoke before about 260 people at the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce annual dinner at Hebron Academy.

“It starts with getting the people here and having a focus on where we can be best in the world,” Jacobson said.

He said the state’s main economy is tourism, and that other companies in the state could benefit from a focus on that. He noted cruise ships that come to Maine ports and said satellite industries could include the training of the ships’ captains, supplying the ships with food and headquartering the cruise line in the state.

“We’ve got to think regionally,” Jacobson said. “This individual town and city attack, you’re not big enough to compete.”

Jacobson cited a recent $1.6 billion business deal between Toyota and a Mississippi town, saying that town benefited from a business climate, an educated work force and a willingness to increase its environmental standards.

Jacobson formerly served as the president and CEO of the St. Lawrence and Atlantic Railroad, as well as assistant vice president for sales and marketing for Canadian National Railways.

Steve Wallace, executive director of the chamber, presented Bruce Little, owner of Frost Farm Gallery in Norway, with a Director’s Choice Award.

Dr. Mark Eastman, superintendent of SAD 17, was given the Citizen of the Year Award for his educational and community work. The presentation was preceded by a video from Eastman’s son, Andrew, who parodied Eastman’s “Top 10” demonstrations at the beginning of the school year with his own video entitled “Top 10 Things to Do to Become Citizen of the Year.”

The number one item: “Just being you.”

Eastman received a standing ovation when he accepted his award and credited Oxford Hills residents for doing supportive and charitable work.

Other awards:

• The Oxford County Fair was recognized as the Nonprofit Business of the Year. Sue Goulet, new chairwoman of the chamber’s board of directors, said the fair had been in decline before recovering and was the only agricultural fair in the state last year to boast an increase in visitors.

• Norway Savings Bank was given the Large Business of the Year Award.

• Cafe Nomad of Norway received the Small Business of the Year Award.

• NEPW Logistics was given the Above and Beyond Award for efforts to accommodate employees after a serious fire in December.

• Element Day Spa of Paris received the New Business of the Year Award.

• Ena Derenburger, sales manager of Turn Key Homes of Oxford, was named Employee of the Year.

• Heath Poland, the new owner of Flanders Electric in Norway, was named the Rising Star of the Year.