By Jennifer Ruth
Staff Writer for Houlton Pioneer Times
HOULTON — The Houlton Community Arts Center’s fund-raising efforts remain strong throughout the community and Houlton’s Key Bank in Market Square has joined the long list of people and businesses working with the organization to bring a better arts center into the community.
Key Bank Branch Manager and Assistant Vice President Robert Faulkner presented members of the Houlton Community Arts Center with a check to kick off the bank’s donation.
“We are pleased to have Key Bank become one of our sponsors in our efforts to raise funds for our project,” said Joe Fagnant, president of the Houlton Community Arts Center. “This is a great example of a large bank supporting a project on a local community level. The Community Arts Center board appreciates the efforts of the Houlton branch and the Key Bank employees that were instrumental in making this donation happen.”
Faulkner moved efforts along by requesting the support from the bank officials and he said they showed a keen interest in wanting to support the center.
“It’s such a worthy cause and we need to dig deep, even in tough times because it’s going to be a huge boost for the area,” explained Faulkner. “I was the one who put in the request and I got strong support with it. We’re donating $15,000 total — with a pledge of $5,000 over the next three years.
“It’s a definitely a step in the right direction,” he said.
The Community Arts Center will provide an expanded selection of arts-related programs and services for the area. The expansion will include 13,000 of new space for separate band, chorus, theatre and dance rehearsals, as well as increased storage space and a larger stage to accommodate performance and exhibits. Approximately $750,000 has been raised over the past year.
The Houlton Community Arts Center Council and fundraising committee has planned an aggressive fundraising campaign for the next several months. This 501C3 organization is seeking to raise $2.5 million in private funds to match the 2007 November bond referendum. More information about the campaign can be received by calling Joe Fagnant at 694-3041 or going to www.houltonarts.org.

Houlton Community Arts Center Capital Campaign

Receives $10,000 from Houlton Savings Bank of Maine

The Houlton Community Arts Center received a welcome financial boost from the Houlton Savings Bank of Maine of a $10,000 donation to the fine arts wing expansion project being planned for Houlton High School. 

In an official statement: Houlton Savings Bank of Maine is pleased to be a sponsor of the Houlton Community Arts Center project.  Our corporate giving goal is intended to make a positive impact on the needs in our communities.  At the Savings Bank of Maine, we believe that being a good neighbor and giving back to our communities serve as benchmarks to our success.  By providing this sponsorship we are committing to the growth of a community-based project that will positively impact the lives of many of our area youth. 

Al Butler, Senior Vice President,  ” As a lifelong resident of Houlton, I am very proud of our school district’s well-known and widely respected music and arts program.  It is very exciting to see our community come together to support a performing arts center that will benefit that program and provide a venue to host other performing events.”

Dean Clark, Vice President  ” SAD #29 is a vital partner within our community, we are very pleased to be a part of this project as it will positively impact the lives of many for years to come.”

 ”We have had many individuals working towards this project and to have Houlton Savings Bank of Maine come on board at this time of our fundraising efforts is a nice positive lift to our campaign, “said Joe Fagnant, president of HCACC.  “Local support is building and we appreciate the efforts of Houlton Savings Bank of Maine as they take a leadership role in supporting the community.”  Funds raised through the Houlton Community Arts Center capital campaign will allow for a renovation of current arts space at Houlton High School and the addition of 13,000 sq. feet of new construction as a visual and performing arts center.

The Center will allow for an expanded selection of arts-related programs and services for the community, separate band, chorus, theatre and dance space, increased storage space, and a larger stage to accommodate performances and exhibits.

The Houlton Community Arts Center Council, is a 501C3 organization that is seeking to raise $2.5 million in private funds to match the recent bond referendum that was supported by voters of MSAD #29. 

Our efforts in grant writing have begun to pay off as our contracted grant writer, Sue Glick, wrapped up some important work that lead to HCACC receiving a $20,000 grant from the Davis Family Foundation of Falmouth, Maine. The foundation supports education, medical and cultural/arts organizations located primarily in Maine. The Houlton Community Arts Center was able to focus on the education and arts portion of the application process.

“Sue did a wonderful job with highlighting our project and we were able to complete their requirements in a timely fashion” stated HCACC President, Joe Fagnant. There are several other granting networks that HCACC is currently working on and more information will be posted.

Houlton Community Arts Center Capital Campaign

Receives $80,000 from LP Foundation

HOULTON: The Houlton Community Arts Center Council (HCACC) has received a donation of $80,000 from the LP Foundation grant to put toward the Council’s ongoing $2.5 million capital campaign drive.

“HCAC began working well over a year ago on applying for a new community impact grant offered by the LP Foundation. The hard work and effort on that application was well received by their committee and we became one of the first communities to receive their grant award,” stated Joe Fagnant, president of HCACC. “One of the factors in receiving this gift at this time in our funding campaign was the community support of the project through the bond referendum. LP Foundation trustees wanted to see momentum on our project before making the donation. The fact that the November vote passed with an overwhelming majority met the requirements for the donation of the funds towards HCACC.”

Louisiana-Pacific’s Houlton Plant Manager Skip Cleary said, “We are proud to be able to partner with the people of this community in support of the arts center through this Community Impact Grant. We look forward to seeing the expanded facility completed and attending arts and community events there for years to come.”

“Grants of this magnitude will assist us not only in raising immediate funds, but will show other granting entities that we have been successful in our efforts and that our request is compatible with their giving programs towards the arts,” said Dave McGillicuddy, co-chairperson of the fundraising committee. “It is fantastic to have a local company that is expanding their operations in our community assist us in our expansion efforts to bring an arts facility to the Southern Aroostook area.”

LP broke ground in September, 2006, to expand its current facility in order to produce laminated strand lumber (LSL), an engineered wood product that meets home construction demands for alternative engineered products in lumber applications. Production of LSL manufactured at Houlton is slated to begin in early 2008 and will be marketed under the brand name LP SolidStart® LSL. The facility will be one of the few producers of LSL in North America, and will employ approximately 162 people.

The Center will allow for an expanded selection of arts-related programs and services for the community, separate band, chorus, theatre and dance space, increased storage space, and a larger stage to accommodate performances and exhibits.

The LP Foundation Community Impact Grant program was instituted in 2006 to provide major one-time grants that make a significant impact on the quality of life in communities where LP operates. The HCACC grant was one of the first three made in the new program. The LP Foundation is the charitable arm of Louisiana-Pacific Corporation.

The Houlton Community Arts Center Council and fundraising committee has planned an aggressive fundraising campaign for the next seven months. This 501C3 organization is seeking to raise $2.5 million in private funds to match the November bond referendum. More information about the campaign can be received by calling Joe Fagnant at 532-6551 or going to http://www.houltonarts.org/.

Houlton Community Arts Center Capital Campaign

Receives $30,000 from Katahdin Trust Company

HOULTON: The Houlton Community Arts Center Council (HCACC) has received a donation of $30,000 from Katahdin Trust Company in support of their on going $2.5 million capital campaign.

 ”We recognize the significant contribution that the arts and cultural programs have in the overall development of our communities,” said Jon Prescott, President & CEO of Katahdin Trust Company “and we are pleased to support this very important initiative that will help to strength the economic vitality of the southern Aroostook area.”

Katahdin Trust Company with roots dating back to 1918 is the largest community bank in northern Maine.  With nearly $420 million in assets, the bank provides personal and business banking services from offices in Ashland, Caribou, Eagle Lake, Easton, Fort Fairfield, Houlton, Island Falls, Limestone, Mars Hill, Oakfield, Patten, Presque Isle, Van Buren and Washburn, online at http://www.katahdintrust.com/, and operates a loan production office in Scarborough. . 

 ”The support of a prominent bank such as Katahdin Trust Company is a major boost to this project” said Joe Fagnant, president of HCACC.  “This gift will lead us through these next several months of fundraising.”  Funds raised through the Houlton Community Arts Center capital campaign will allow for a renovation of current arts space at Houlton High School and the addition of 13,000 sq. feet of new construction as a visual and performing arts center.

“I strongly support the project and the construction/expansion of this facility which will continue our musical tradition and provide a showplace for generations to come,” stated Annette Beaton, Vice President & Manager of Katahdin Trust Company Houlton office.”

The Center will allow for an expanded selection of arts-related programs and services for the community, separate band, chorus, theatre and dance space, increased storage space, and a larger stage to accommodate performances and exhibits.

 ”As the parent of a child involved in the Houlton School of Dance and a life-long believer in the benefits of school/community music programs, I personally feel the Houlton Community Arts Center is the next step in providing a state of the art facility to take our musical programs to the next level,” said Barrett Potter, Asst. Vice President and Commercial Services Officer for Katahdin Trust Company.  “The communities of the Greater Houlton Area are blessed to have had a strong music history and that legacy continues on today.” 

The Houlton Community Arts Center Council, is a 501C3 organization that is seeking to raise $2.5 million in private funds to match the recent bond referendum that was supported by voters of MSAD #29.  The aggressive campaign has an eight-month time line in place so that the project can meet goals to move forward in a timely manner.  More information about the campaign can be received by calling Joe Fagnant at 532-6551.

 The Houlton Community Arts Center recently received a $50,000 donation from York’s of Houlton toward it’s capital campaign.

“To have a local business support this project with such a significant contribution is a true indication that the creative economy is important to our area ,” explained Joe Fagnant, President of the Houlton Community Arts Center Council.  “The future arts center will not only give the music and art program much needed space for education, it will also become the focal point for this very supportive community.  I am pleased that York’s of Houlton has taken this step to change the face of education and the arts for the greater Houlton area.”

“We’re happy to be able to support the Houlton Community Arts Center project.  It’s going to be a real plus to southern Aroostook because it will not only help the students immediately by providing dearly needed space, but it will aid the local economy by adding another element to attract and retain people, “stated Jerry York, Owner and General Manager.  York’s of Houlton has been in business since Gerard York purchased Ralph  L. Berry Co. in 1968.  Jerry and Dick York joined the Ford dealership in 1975.   They expanded the company to include vehicles from Toyota, Lincoln, Mercury, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Buick for a total of eight franchises.  The dealership then became York’s of Houlton.   

“It is such a boost to this campaign when a local business steps forward to support the much needed project,” said Fred Grant, Co-Chair of the Campaign.  “The major contribution from York’s of Houlton puts the project in the lime light, and drives us in the process of bringing other businesses and individuals on board to join the campaign.”  

On November 6^th, voters will also have the opportunity to support the project by voting yes on the municipal bond question #1.  The Houlton Community Arts Center Council (HCACC) and MSAD #29 school board have collaborated on a $5 million bond referendum that will bring $2.5 million to complete renovations at Houlton High School and provide $2.5 million to the Community Arts Center.  The  HCACC is a 501C3 organization that is charged with raising an additional  $2.5 million in matching funds to go toward the renovation of the auditorium and an addition of 13,000 sq. feet of new construction for a state-of-the-art visual and performing arts center.

There was a recent article in the September 17, 2007 edition of the Bangor Daily News about a $100,000 donation to the Houlton Community Arts Center project from FAPeabody company and you can find the full article here.

http://www.bangornews.com/news/t/aroostook.aspx?articleid=154329&zoneid=175

Houlton Community Arts Center Wraps Up Summer Activities

The Houlton Community Arts Center Council and fundraising committee members have been hard at work this summer continuing their efforts to organize and raise funds for the fine arts wing expansion project of Houlton High School. Several key meetings have taken place with fundraising consultant BHC Consulting Group from Bangor. The organizational meetings have lead up to members working on the asking of major donors over the course of the summer. The process has gone well and the committee is reporting strong successes with contacting individuals and businesses.

Many hours have also been spent this summer working with the MSAD #29 School Board and superintendent Steve Fitzpatrick on organizing the upcoming November referendum that will positively impact a major renovation goal and also the expansion project. HCACC president Joe Fagnant met with Mr. Fitzpatrick, school board members, school legal council and other HCAC members to discuss how the referendum process will be organized and what the language will look like for the referendum. The main body of the referendum will support a $2.5 million renovation portion to complete HHS projects and a $2.5 million portion to go to the expansion project, to be matched by $2.5 million in private funds currently being raised.

HCAC fundraising committee members Steve Nelson and Torrey Sylvester, along with superintendent Fitzpatrick, presented the project and bond information at town meetings in Littleton, Monticello and Houlton. Arrangements are currently being made to meet with the Hammond board. A key area of the presentation was how the bond money will support immediate changes at HHS while being paid off over twenty years with money that is already built into the current budget system. There were great questions that came about from the different panel discussions and the presenters felt that the individual town councils were interested in the process and progress of the project.

Fundraising committee chairs Fred Grant, Dave McGillicuddy and Liz Anderson were active in kicking off the donation seeking process and organizing various public events including information booths set up at different venues through out the summer. Ann Joy assisted in staffing the information booths, where board members and volunteers greeted visitors with explanations of floor plans, handed out information pamphlets and gave out wristbands with the “Artstrong” motto and the HCAC web site: houltonarts.org.

Upcoming events include a full HCACC board meeting on August 29^th, ongoing fundraising committee meetings and public information meetings. The HCACC will assist the school board with educating the public at two meetings: September 6^th and October 18^th held at Houlton High school from 5-8pm.

A lot of organization, planning and activities have taken place this summer. Great things are coming together for this much needed project and more details will be forthcoming from the Houlton Community Arts Center Council.

The Greater Houlton area is strong in the arts and has been for many generations. Since the arts play such a crucial role in our area’s identity we thought there should be a way for community members to show their support of our continuing arts tradition. Don’t have your wristband yet? Pick one up at one of the events listed in our calendar and wear it with pride!

There has been a lot of great activity happening regarding the fine arts wing expansion project at Houlton High School and the Houlton Community Arts Center Council is beginning to share the great news with the community. The council and its volunteers invite everyone to come visit their information booth on July 3rd, at 7pm during the McGills Community Band Midnight Madness concert and also to the July 7th craft fair from 10am-4pm. Both events will take place in Monument Park. The booth will be staffed by volunteers that will be assisting in educating and making the public more aware about the project. There will be architectural plans for the building, pictures, pamphlets and other information available. The Houlton Community Arts Center Council and the community members invovled in the Fundraising Committee have been hard at work developing the project and moving it towards the next phase. Come visit the booth or go online to our expanding website, houltonarts.org, to see what has been happening with the project.