Photo / Renee Cordes
TD Bank Senior Economist James Marple at Thursday's conference.
Updated: 4 hours ago
MEREDA 2025: Tariff uncertainties cloud Maine real estate, economic outlook
Photo / Renee Cordes
Networking was in high gear at the MEREDA forecast conference and member showcase in Portland on Thursday.
While prognosticators painted a mostly upbeat outlook on Maine’s real estate market and broader economy at a Thursday conference in Portland, unknowns about tariffs, interest rates and inflation were all mentioned as risk factors.
“It’s not just the economy where there are a lot of uncertainties, but also inflation and interest rates,” James Marple, senior economist at TD Bank, told the gathering. Later during a session on financing trends, Kim Twitchell of NBT Bank remarked that “uncertainty is hard when you’re trying to do business.”
Braving rain and snow across many parts of the state, more than 900 people attended the Maine Real Estate & Development Association’s all-day forecast conference at the Holiday Inn by the Bay.
In his keynote speech, Chris Mallett of Northeastern University’s Roux Institute talked about the organization’s goal of becoming a catalyst for Maine’s economy and teaming with businesses to meet workforce needs.
“Think about what we can do if we work in partnership,” he said.
Mallett, the institute’s chief administrative officer, also gave an overview of the $500 million higher education campus under development in Portland, on a 13.5-acre waterfront site that includes the former B&M Baked Beans factory.
The long-vacant industrial building will be transformed into a modern innovation center equipped to house between 50 and 100 startups, while a parking garage will include an attached child care facility with capacity to look after 100 youngsters. There will also be areas accessible to the public, including trails and a pier.
“We want it to be a vibrant place of destination,” Mallett said.
Nine afternoon breakout sessions covered the nuts and bolts of real estate sectors from office to hospitality.
Swag-a-thon
While sessions were taking place upstairs, the packed member showcase downstairs was abuzz with socializing and swag-a-thons.
Promotional goodies on display ranged from Boulos Co. co- branded bottles of Captain Mowatt’s hot sauce — a nod to Maine’s “hot” commercial real estate market? — to Maine Community Bank knee socks in the bank’s signature colors and Haven’s chocolate candy bars emblazoned with the Pierce Atwood logo.
Photo / Renee Cordes
Hot sauce, anyone? Nate Roop and Reese McFarlane at the Boulos Co. have got you covered.
Cities also got in on the action, with Windham offering five-inch plastic desk rulers containing the message "Windham, Maine — Find It Here!" along with the website of the town's economic and development commission. Inside the rulers were Post-It Tabs in seven colors.
Meanwhile at the Lewiston booth, whoopie pies labelled "City of Lewiston: Opportunity Lives Here" were piled high. They were made at Labadie’s Bakery, the reputed birthplace of the sweet treat in 1925.
“These are whoopie pies that were invented in Lewiston,” gushed Mayor Carl Sheline.
Some sponsors also held raffles, though Jim Darroch of United Insurance chose not to enter any. He said this was his second year of walking — and sponsoring — the member showcase with his Portland-based employer.
“There appeared to be even more people this year than last year, which speaks volumes about MEREDA and its critical role in Maine's business community,” he told Mainebiz on Friday.
“As for swag, I’m a big fan of premium items people will actually use,” he added. “During the hospitality breakout session, my neighbor was taking notes in a notebook she received from Machias Savings Bank. You can’t ask for a better return on your investment than that.”
Amberlynn Esperanza of Mascoma Bank in Portland was also in attendance.
“The annual MEREDA conference never disappoints,” she said. “Learning about market trends and outlooks helps me understand the needs of people in the industry and how I can help provide financing solutions or connect them with key community partners."
One of the highlights for her in 2025?
“Receiving a super convenient charging cable from the Boulos Co.,” she said. “Can’t wait for next year!"
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