By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Representatives for Leaders Encouraging Aroostook Development, Momentum Aroostook and Northern Maine Community College kicked off their search for Aroostook’s 2014 Entrepreneur of the Year during a gathering at NMCC’s library Feb. 19.
LEAD President Jim Davis said this year’s theme is “resources and ideas start here.”
“Whether it’s through natural resources, economic assets or in the workforce, Aroostook County is rich with ideas,” said Davis, adding, “entrepreneurs are the backbone of our economy and the key reason for LEAD.”
Amy Bouchard, on behalf of Momentum Aroostook, spoke next.
She said MA members are individuals active in the community and through this award, “we’d like to help create and enhance the advancement of these individuals.”
“Resourceful entrepreneurs have built on ideas while attracting individuals to Aroostook,” said Bouchard.
Next up was Ryan Pelletier, LEAD executive director.
Pelletier recognized past honorees, including: Matt Bell, owner of Northeast Pellets; Scott Galbiati and his wife, Jessica Jewel, of Northern Maine Distilling, makers of Twenty2 vodka; Troy Haney, Haney Building Specialties; and last year’s winner, David Harbison, of Bison Pumps.
“They embody the spirit of Aroostook County. Nominees will be narrowed down to the final three, who’ll get to tell their story the evening of our award dinner,” said Pelletier.
Pelletier said the award is presented “in recognition of an individual who’s done outstanding work in the community.”
“First, it showcases an individual who’s made a successful business here. Second, it provides focus for the rest of the state and the world on what’s going on here. We need an individual who can stand up and talk about what they’re doing because the world is looking” at us, said Pelletier. “This is a great place to live and grow. We want someone who can stand up and say ‘I did it here.’”
Tim Crowley, president of NMCC, said it’s abundantly clear how this impacts the region.
“There’s a much larger impact than just the county or the state — to be able to show what we’re doing here and that one can live and grow here,” said Crowley. “This is an opportunity to highlight some of our most creative and successful businesses. It also sets a wonderful example for people considering starting their own business.”
Davis said “Together with the four supporting educational institutions, this nomination process and competition is intended to highlight the ideas and talents of entrepreneurs throughout Aroostook.”
“These are the folks and their businesses who identify a product or a need and say to themselves ‘I can do that’ or ‘I can do that better.’ This is where our economy, nationally and across the state, achieves growth in employment, wages and spin-off economic benefit to the surrounding communities,” Davis said.
The Aroostook’s Entrepreneur — 2014 Award will be given to a business leader who demonstrates excellence and extraordinary success in areas such as innovation and personal commitment to their business and community. The nominees will be recognized and the winner will receive a plaque and a check for $500 at a special recognition dinner later this spring, co-hosted by LEAD and MA.
Nominations must be received by April 4. Program details and a nomination form are available for download at www.leadaroostook.com. Send completed forms to: LEAD Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Attn: Ryan Pelletier, Executive Director, LEAD Inc., PO Box 779, Caribou, ME 04736.
For more information about the initiative, call Pelletier at 498-8736 or email rpelletier @nmdc.org.
