2 min read

STATE — The Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) celebrated business and education success stories and partnerships at its annual meeting and awards event, Showcase Maine, on Thursday, November 21, at South Portland’s Portland Sheraton at Sable Oaks.

Showcase Maine is FAME’s annual celebration of successful partnerships with Maine’s business, lending, governmental, and higher education communities. The event featured a reception, including a showcase of exhibits by Maine businesses and educational organizations that partner with FAME, as well as a dinner and awards presentation.

Curtis Hill, a diversity strategist, educator, author, speaker, and trainer, delivered a dynamic and interactive keynote speech. Hill spoke about creating a Culture of Belonging™ in the workplace that maximizes people, profitability, and performance by tapping into what allows team members to bring their full potential to work. Rosemary Crimp, a voice teacher and lyric soprano at River Tree Arts, performed the national anthem, as well.

Martha Johnston, FAME’s Director of Education, emceed the event. In her remarks, Johnston noted that FAME recently completed a new round of planning work to better align its efforts and focus with the hopes and needs of the state going forward. FAME plans to be a key convenor of financing opportunities for FAME citizens and organizations in both the commercial and education arenas. She further took time to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Maine’s 529 Education Savings Plan, NextGen 529®. NextGen 529 is a top ten education savings plan in the nation, with approximately $15 billion in assets under management. Accounts can be set up for any child or grandchild, friend, or relative regardless of income, residency, or the age of the beneficiary. FAME incentivizes savings for eligible Maine accounts through its matching grant programs.

This year’s award recipients included:

Lender at Work for Maine Award (most enhanced partnership) – Norway Savings Bank was honored for having greatly increased its partnership with FAME on various financing projects. Founded in 1866, Norway Savings is a leading mutual banking and financial services company headquartered in Norway. The bank has a strong commitment to personal, community, and financial values. They are proud to be a community bank known for their financial strength, exceptional customer experience, and contributions to local communities. This past year, FAME partnered with Norway Savings on 16 loans to Maine companies totaling approximately $6 million, an increase of $2 million compared to last year. This helped to create fifty-six Maine jobs and retain an additional 237 jobs. To learn more about Norway Savings Bank, please visit https://www.norwaysavings.bank/

Before the event, the FAME board of directors held its monthly meeting. New officers were elected to one-year terms. Officers elected for 2025 include Renee Ouellette, President & CEO of University Credit Union (Chair); William Tracy, President & CEO of Auburn Savings Bank (Vice Chair); and Dustin Brooks, Vice President of Marketing Strategy, UNUM Group (Treasurer).

Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.