Business year in review 2015: Part II
The second half of 2015 saw facelifts, expansions and new accolades for central Aroostook County businesses and organizations.
July
Healthy Aroostook announced that Ray’s Hometown Variety was recognized for their efforts to curb marketing of tobacco to youth.
Katahdin Valley Health Center’s Ashland branch celebrated its newly renovated space with a ribbon cutting, held July 2.
Hidden Meadow Farm, a family-owned business, opened an old-fashioned country store in downtown Bridgewater.
Pancsofar’s Bridal Boutique of Presque Isle made its successful growth by expanding to Bangor’s historic downtown area.
Carquest with four locations in Aroostook County received a facelift and a new name. Customers familiar with Carquest in Presque Isle, Caribou, became accustomed to Advance Auto Parts adorning the businesses.
August
The County Federal Credit Union planned to expand its reach in Presque Isle with the opening of a new operations center in the fall.
Aroostook Savings & Loan awarded two Aroostook County students scholarships towards their college education. Recipients of $4,000 scholarships were Kristin Macek and Ryan Lavway.
Local television news anchor/reporter Shawn Cunningham of WAGM-TV was named Ms. New England Community Service America 2016.
S.W. Collins Co. was named as one of the 50 All Stars in the 2015 Hardware + Building Supply Dealer All Star Project.
September
Lowe’s of Presque Isle “adopted” some shelter animals for the day and offered not only labor, but a large donation of supplies. As part of its annual Heroes Project, donated $1,750 worth of pet food and other supplies to the Central Aroostook Humane Society.
Machias Savings Bank of Presque Isle invested in a new branch building to compete in Aroostook County’s lending and savings business.
Maibec Lumber USA in Ashland earned the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program Award (SHARP) in recognition of its rigorous safety achievement program.
The National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA) named MMG Insurance of Presque Isle as the recipient of its prestigious 2015 Company Award of Excellence. The presentation was made on Sept. 18 at a gala ceremony held in conjunction with PIA’s board of directors meeting in New Orleans.
October
Daigle Oil Company (DOC) announced that it is now 100 percent employee owned. DOC transitioned from a privately held company to an employee-owned company through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) that allows vested employees to acquire ownership of the company and share in the company’s growth and success.
Card$mart of Presque Isle had its first month in its new location, now at 631 Main Street at the corner of Park and Main, and business has been brisk, say the owners.
Smith’s Farm of Presque Isle, a sixth-generation agricultural producer, completed a large solar project at their cooling/packing facility in Westfield.
November
The Presque Isle Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) held their annual harvest supper and auction Oct. 22 at the Presque Isle High School cafeteria, raising in excess of $2,000 for their annual convention.
Aroostook Hops, LLC, a growing hops business in Westfield was among four companies in Maine to receive grant funding from USDA Rural Development.
Fresh off a multimillion-dollar expansion, Pineland Farms Potato Company of Mars Hill entered a pretty big retail market. Pineland Farms Potato Company’s mashed potatoes became available at 28 Sam’s Club stores in the Northeast.
December
Clukey’s Auto Supply, one of Aroostook County’s longtime independent auto parts retailers became a part of NAPA Auto Parts.
The Northern Maine Community College Alumni and Friends Organization presented its Torchbearer Award for 2015. Michael Thibodeau, who graduated from the college in 1977, was chosen unanimously by the group for his outstanding leadership of the organization and ongoing support of NMCC.
