PRESQUE ISLE — A northern Maine-based bank, recognized nationally for its commitment to community, has stepped forward as a lead partner for a premier international sporting event coming to Aroostook County in February. The local organizing committee for the 2014 IBU Youth/Junior Biathlon World Championships has announced that Katahdin Trust Co. has come on board as one of the two leading supporters for the large-scale winter sports competition.
Contributed photo
Officials with the 2014 IBU Youth/Junior Biathlon World Championships present the first two pieces of event outerwear to officials with Katahdin Trust Co. in honor of the bank signing on as a Lead/Gold Partner. The bank logo appears prominently on the upper part of the right sleeve of the jacket that will be worn by volunteers before, during and after the event. Joining in the presentation are, from left: Nathan Berry, member of the organizing committee and president of the Nordic Heritage Sport Club; Bob Dorsey, president and CEO of the Aroostook Partnership for Progress and member of the organizing committee; Steve Towle, event manager; Jane Towle, event director; Jon Prescott, president and CEO of Katahdin Trust Co.; and Vicki Smith, senior vice president of marketing and communications for Katahdin Trust.
“We could not be more pleased to have Katahdin Trust Co. as a lead partner engaged in our efforts to roll out the county and Maine welcome mat to hundreds of the world’s best young athletes and the large number of spectators who will follow them to northern Maine,” said Jane Towle, 2014 Youth/Junior Biathlon World Championships event director. “This is once again leading by example on the part of this innovative and civic-minded financial institution. Katahdin Trust Co. has a 95-year history of serving and supporting betterment efforts throughout our region. The board of directors, management and employees of the bank not only see their support of the upcoming World Juniors as key to the future economic development of our region, but as an extension of their commitment to northern Maine.”
Towle pointed to the Community Commitment Award presented to Katahdin Trust Co. earlier this year by the American Bankers Association as evidence of the importance the bank places on serving community. The award was presented for Katahdin Trust Co.’s efforts in 2012, during which the bank donated over $225,000 to the communities that it serves, and saw its 194 employees roll up their sleeves outside the confines of the bank to invest over 13,000 hours of volunteer service for a host of civic, charitable, church, educational and economic development organizations.
It is, in part, that very community spirit that Katahdin Trust Co. President and CEO Jon J. Prescott hopes to foster and showcase with the coming event. Prescott expressed his belief that the investment on the part of the bank will come back many fold.
“The Nordic Heritage Sport Center in Presque Isle is hosting a local stage for an event with worldwide scope. In addition to the economic impact that will be felt immediately, this event will provide exposure to the area that we so proudly call home through regional, state and international media,” said Prescott. “Our sponsorship reinforces our position as an active and dedicated corporate citizen in Aroostook County, working to enhance the quality of life we share.”
The international event will bring upwards of 350 of the world’s top biathletes, under the age of 21, from more than 30 countries to Aroostook County for the competition that will take place between Feb. 28 and March 7, 2014.
“Excitement is building for the 2014 IBU Youth/Junior Biathlon World Championships,” said Towle. “With just over five months to go, preparations are going well. We have a number of other key partners who have signed on, and who we will announce in the coming weeks and months.”
“Corporately, Katahdin Trust Co. is serving as a gold partner and our name will be prominent across venues,” said Prescott. “However, the spirit of volunteerism is fundamental to the success of this major sporting event. We are pleased that on an individual basis, several of our employees will be joining with other community volunteers to give of their time to help ensure a successful competition.”
