Editor’s Note: The following is the first of two articles highlighting some of the top business stories from 2019. This article highlights events from January to June.
January
Nineteen employees of Northern Light AR Gould Hospital (formerly TAMC) were welcomed into a “Veterans-In-Partnership” or VIP group at the hospital, all having achieved the status of 20 years or more of service.
University of Maine at Presque Isle President Ray Rice and Aroostook Aspirations President Sandy Gauvin signed an agreement strengthening the partnership between the two institutions. The agreement allows both organizations to provide students with more opportunities while in college in northern Maine, including college success activities, internships and community service efforts.
The women’s clothing store Maurices in the Aroostook Centre Mall closed in late January. The Presque Isle store was among more than 1,000 Maurices across the U.S. and Canada.
The Aroostook Agency on Aging was settling into its new headquarters and welcomed a $20,000 donation from Katahdin Trust Company Monday supporting the new center’s lobby resource area that provides print and digital information, as well as staff assistance.
A hair salon formerly located in Fort Fairfield found a new home on the corner of State and Main streets in downtown Presque Isle. Matthew Nadeau originally opened Bella Vita Hair Salon in Fort Fairfield, in 2016. He decided to move the business to Presque Isle as a way to gain more exposure, build his client base and expand the types of salon services he and his three stylists can offer.
The Probus Club of Aroostook held its regular monthly meeting where club president Dave Maxcy introduced two outstanding recipients of the Probus scholarships: twins Ryle and Randon Mortland.
New Ventures Maine announced a Perham company had won its latest marketing mini-grant competition for small businesses in Aroostook County. Great NorthWoods Herbs and Botanicals on Salmon Brook Road in Perham received an award of $500.
February
The Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce recently recognized Northern Business Products of Presque Isle for outstanding customer service and presented them with the Customer Service Recognition Award for November. (Courtesy of Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce)
Presque Isle Regional Career and Technical Center students helped restore a 1920s-era logging sled. The sled will be used with a steam-powered log hauler on display at the Maine Forest and Logging Museum in Bradley.
The Aroostook Agency on Aging joined two partners to finalize Healthy Living for ME as a joint venture, with representatives from all three organizations signing papers at Bernstein Shur in Augusta.
The University of Maine Presque Isle launched a new year-round composting project to put food waste to good use on campus thanks to a grant from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. The college received a $5,650 grant from the Maine DEP’s recycling and organics management initiative to turn its campus cafeteria food waste into compost for soil enrichment.
The Aroostook Agency on Aging announced that MMG Insurance pledged to support the new Aroostook Aging & Disability Resource Center located in Presque Isle through a leadership donation of $20,000.
Rex McLaughlin brought a new business to downtown Mars Hill and provided a market for old and used goods. McLaughlin opened up the Mars Hill Thrift Store in a rented space at 69 Main St.
The Kiwanis Club of Presque Isle sponsored the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, benefiting local children through the United Way of Aroostook, for another year. The club is an original sponsoring organization whose members continue to see the value in this early literacy program.
Bella Vita Salon, located in Presque Isle, celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting hosted by the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce.
March
The Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce presented Northeast Trophy and Embroidery/Norogala Show Ribbons of Presque Isle with the Customer Service Recognition Award for January 2019. The company was awarded for outstanding service by going above and beyond to help customers with their needs. (Courtesy of Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce)
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins visited the Acme Monaco plant to learn about one of Presque Isle’s manufacturing companies and some of the challenges for businesses and workers.
Northern Light AR Gould Hospital established a new call center to better serve patients. When patients call Northern Light Primary Care offices in central Aroostook, the phone is now answered by call center staff.
A nearly two-month local challenge to collect soup as part of the national Souper Bowl of Caring campaign came to an end, with members of the Aroostook Chapter of Maine Credit Unions collecting more than $15,000 in soup and cash donations to deliver to food cupboards and some pantries in Aroostook County.
Northern Maine Community College hosted its annual job fair in the college gymnasium.
The Presque Isle Fish and Game Club and Presque Isle Kiwanis Club partnered to bring the region a pair of spring events that they hoped would get people in the mood for warm weather. The Presque Isle Fish and Game Club hosted its 20th annual Spring Sportsman’s Show and Kiwanis offered the Swing into Spring Showcase.
The Center for Advancement of Rural Living announced a donation of $5,000 from MMG Insurance in Presque Isle to support the Caribou Performing Arts Center Revitalization project.
The City of Presque Isle received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 21st year by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for its comprehensive annual financial report.
April
Future Business Leaders of America chapter members at the Presque Isle Regional Career and Technical Center captured a number of honors at the recent state convention in Portland. (Courtesy of Kimberly Hemphill)
Northern Maine Community College students brought home three gold and two silver medals from the SkillsUSA Maine Championships.
The Kiwanis Club of Presque Isle made a donation to The Sargent Family Community Center to sponsor the local Hot Shot competition.
Northern Maine Community College’s Student Nurses’ Association hosted its first conference focused on the future of nursing in Aroostook County, which drew a crowd of nearly 80 students.
A new veterinarian started working at Presque Isle Animal Hospital. Dr. Brittney Riley joined the team at the facility owned by brother and sister veterinarians Hanna Cook and Jonah Babiarz.
The Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce helped the Presque Isle S.W. Collins Co. location celebrate its remodeling with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The store added a paint color bar and remodeled its kitchen and bath showroom.
The Aroostook CA$H Coalition, sponsored by The County Federal Credit Union and supported by 15 non- and for-profit partners, completed another successful season of free tax preparation services for Aroostook County residents.
Presque Isle High School’s Class of 2021 were a part of the annual McCluskey’s RV and Trailer Show at the Presque Isle Forum. The company donated all admissions to support the class in its fundraising efforts for graduation and prom.
May
The Central Aroostook Association celebrated 60 years of serving individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. The organization has evolved to include eight programs, including children and adult case management, located at the building on the association’s Lombard Street campus in Presque Isle.
The Bangor-based company Records Management Center acquired Aroostook Shredding and is now providing paper shredding and a range of services in Aroostook County.
The United Way of Aroostook announced that its March Operation 24 telethon raised $31,000 to benefit Aroostook County’s 24 food pantries. As of mid-April, $21,000 had been collected.
Work Health LLC of Presque Isle celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting hosted by the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce.
Kristi Bray of B&R Insurance in Presque Isle won the Platinum Award and the Gold Award for top sales statewide from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare. She beat out 181 other brokers for the number-one spot in both 2018 and 2019.
The Kiwanis Club of Presque Isle helped out with the cooking at the Presque Isle Fish and Game Club for the Aroostook River Fun Run.
June
The F.A. Peabody Company announced the promotion of Erica Johnson to department manager for FAPCO’s Life and Benefits Division.
The University of Maine at Presque Isle honored several employees for their years of service during the annual employee recognition reception. Twenty-eight employees were recognized for their combined 395 years of service to the university.
The Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce presented Goin’ Postal of Presque Isle with the Customer Service Recognition Award.
Lisa Wark of Mapleton and Christa Judkins of Caribou partnered, along with Judkin’s mother Martha Frank, to open Glass With Class and officially opened for business with an open house.
Northern Maine Community College announced Dr. Michael Dunlop as the new academic dean.
The Board of Directors at United Way of Aroostook presented Aroostook Centre Mall Manager Patti Crooks with the Community Spark Award.
The Aroostook Agency on Aging received a $5,000 donation from The County Federal Credit Union to support the development of The County Volunteer Center at the new Aroostook Aging & Disability ResourceCenterinPresque Isle.
Lance Smith, a partner in Smith’s Farm, the largest producer of broccoli and one of the largest growers of cauliflower in the East, became the sixth chair of the MEMIC board of directors.
Tony and Sherry Sullivan, who’ve owned and operated the Presque Isle location of the Maine-based franchise Governor’s Restaurant for more than 20 years, were glad to be a part of the original restaurant celebrating its 60th year in 2019.
Next week, we will bring you highlights from July through December.
