CARIBOU — Leaders Encouraging Aroostook Development (LEAD) and Momentum Aroostook, in conjunction with the four institutions of higher education in the region, are once again looking for exceptional entrepreneurs in Aroostook County and are soliciting nominations for the 2015 Aroostook Entrepreneur of the Year.
The Aroostook’s Entrepreneur Award will be given to a business leader who demonstrates excellence and extraordinary success in such areas 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 Momentum Aroostook.
LEAD President Jim Davis said this award process is very important for his organization and Aroostook.
“What so many folks don’t realize is the level of growth and innovation going on in The County,” he said. “When it occurs with large companies, there are press releases and a big deal is made about that growth. Small companies do not have that advantage, even though they are significant economic growth engines in their own right. Entrepreneur of the Year provides an opportunity for LEAD to showcase the new ideas and tremendous resource we have among people right here in Aroostook.”
Nominations must be received by April 17. There is no fee for nominations and self-nominations are encouraged. Previous nominees are eligible to be nominated again. LEAD and Momentum Aroostook members and their relatives are eligible to participate. Program details and a nomination form are available for download at www.leadaroostook.com.
To be eligible for consideration, nominees must be the founder, owner, or manager of a private or public company; be primarily responsible for the recent performance of the company or organization; and be an active member of top management. The company or organization must have been in operation at least one year.
“Aroostook County has a lot of entrepreneurial spirit,” said LEAD Executive Director Ryan Pelletier. “The purpose of recognizing these talents is vital to encourage others to think creatively, and dream about their own business pursuits. We hope that by recognizing existing entrepreneurs, it may encourage others to take their dreams and make them a reality.”
A panel of seven judges, one representing each of the sponsors, LEAD and Momentum Aroostook, and the supporting organizations, Husson University, Northern Maine Community College, the University of Maine at Fort Kent and the University of Maine at Presque Isle, along with last year’s winner, will select the 2015 honoree.
Entrepreneurship plays a vital role in the growth of the U.S. economy. According to the Small Business Administration, small businesses provide 55 percent of all jobs and 66 percent of all net new jobs since the 1970s.
“Small business is the backbone of our rural economy and this is a small way of our organization paying tribute to the sacrifices and successes that these leaders endure,” added Pelletier.
This is the sixth time LEAD and Momentum Aroostook have sponsored the “Entrepreneur of the Year” competition. Previous winners include David Harbison of Bison Pumps in Houlton, Matt Bell of Northeast Pellets in Ashland, Northern Maine Distilling’s Jessica Jewell and Scott Galbiati (formerly of Houlton), Troy Haney of Haney Building Specialties in Caribou and Corey LaPlante of Northern Prosthetics in Presque Isle.
For more information about the initiative, contact LEAD Executive Director Ryan Pelletier at 498-8736 or rpelletier@nmdc.org.
