News from APP/NMDC

Notes from APP and NMDC

Volume 2, Issue 52

June 7, 2013

In This Issue

SBA Awards

Next Step Scholarship

Investor News

Lakeview Restaurant receives SBA award

BANGOR - The U.S. Small Business Administration presented its annual small business awards to Maine businesses June 4 at the Spectacular Event Center in Bangor and companies from or with ties to Aroostook were honored.

"Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and recognizing those who work so hard to achieve success is truly an honor," Marilyn Geroux, SBA district director for Maine, said in a press release.

From left, Marilyn Geroux, SBA district director for Maine; Duane Walton, NMDC business finance director; Kamden Daigle; Jason Daigle, owner; Jenn Daigle, owner; and Kelsie Daigle.

The owners of Lakeview Restaurant and Camping Resort in St. Agatha, received the Jeffrey Butland Award for Maine and New England.

Lakeview was founded in the early 1980s by Carol and Richard Derosier as a small diner, which has since been expanded into a 275-seat restaurant with a staff of 50. In 1995, the Derosier family expanded the business to include a 75-site campground.

Currently, Jennifer Derosier Daigle, Carol and Richard's daughter, and her husband Jason own and manage Lakeview Restaurant and Camping Resort. The Business Finance Department at the Northern Maine Development Commission (NMDC) nominated the Derosier Family for the award.

"This is a business that has a tremendous affect on the region economically," said Duane Walton, business finance director NMDC. "It was made into a destination selected by patrons from all over that enjoy the snowmobiling, the summer recreation and the great meals that Lakeview has offered for many years."

Also honored by the SBA was Cory Laplante, owner of Northern Prosthetics. He received the SBA's Young Entrepreneur New England Regional Award.

Northern Prosthetics, which is located in Presque Isle, sells prosthetics and orthotics, some of which are manufactured on-site. These range from basic foot orthotics up to more advanced microprocessors for prosthetics.

The company obtained loan guaranty funding from the SBA through Katahdin Trust Co., which nominated Laplante for the award.

Another person with ties to northern Maine was awarded the Small Business Person of the Year. Matthew Qualey, originally from the Sherman area, is president of Qualey Granite and Quartz in Veazie.

Quick Links

NMDC's Page awarded Next Step Maine Scholarship

From left, Maggie Drummond-Bahl, program director Maine Development Foundation; Leane Page, program director NMDC; Leane's two youngest daughters, Jaelyn and Brenan Page ;Deb Whitworth, director of the SHRM Maine State Council; and Ed Cervone, MDF CEO.

AUGUSTA - The Maine Employers' Initiative (MEI), a program of the Maine Development Foundation, this week recognized 17 winners, including a Northern Maine Development Commission (NMDC) employee, of the Next Step Maine Scholarships in a presentation at the State House.

The Next Step Maine Scholarship Fund is a new fund designed to recognize "Employees of Promise" who are nominated by their employers. The goal of the fund is to support and recognize working adults who are pursuing college degrees or certificates while also juggling jobs, families and other responsibilities.

Out of more than 200 applicants Leane Page, a program director of economic and workforce development at NMDC, was selected for the scholarship. She is enrolled at Villanova University and is studying part time for a Project Management Certificate. Page is also busy raising her family.

"I am very excited to have been selected for this award, said Page. "Having the extra financial support is the catalyst I needed to attend and complete a program in project management. The Maine Employer's Initiative hit the nail on the head by supporting adults in the workforce to update their credentials. To that, I am grateful and hope to pay it forward with my contributions in economic and workforce development."

"I am very pleased that NMDC and Leane have been recognized for their commitment to continuing education and supporting the personal growth of our employees is a key priority for the economic and workforce development division here at NMDC," said NMDC director of economic and workforce development Ryan Pelletier.

"The future of the Maine economy rests on the shoulders of people like those we recognize: people pursuing college degrees and advanced training," said Maggie Drummond, Program Director for the Maine Development Foundation. "The jobs of the future, here and across the nation, require greater and greater levels of education, skill and training. We have more than 200,000 adults in this state that started college but didn't complete their degree, and with Next Step Maine we want to move some of these dedicated adults a little closer to that goal."

The awards presentation was planned in partnership with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Maine State Council's 2013 HR Professionals Day. Attendees included the scholarship winners and their employers, major donors to scholarship fund, members of the Maine Legislature, and the Governor.

"Leane is exactly the type of person we wanted to recognize and support with the Next Step Scholarship program. She's juggling her work, family and volunteer obligations with her desire to reach her educational and career goals; it takes a special person to make this commitment," said Maggie Drummond-Bahl, director of the scholarship program for MDF. "We hope that Leane's example will help inspire others like her to take the next step."

Employers who nominated their employees for the scholarships are members of the Maine Employers' Initiative, a network of more than 200 employers statewide who have committed take one more step to promote education and training by providing better opportunities for their employees. The Next Step Maine project is a website based resource developed to better assists adult learners in their efforts to return to school and advance their education by providing informational resources on a variety of schools and programs throughout the State.

"We know that employers are critical: when employers demonstrate support for skill development and higher education, employees are far more likely to take action to pursue a degree or career goal," continued Drummond.

Investor News

HOULTON - The Aroostook Partnership for Progress welcomes a new investor from the Shiretown. York's of Houlton has joined the partnership.

The automotive dealership has been part of the Houlton business community since 1968 when Gerard York purchased the Ralph L. Berry Co., the County's first Ford dealership, and one of the oldest in the country. It was then renamed York Ford Sales. In 1975, both Dick and Jerry York join the company. In 1979, York Ford Sales moved to its current location on Route 1. In 1990 York Ford Sales becomes York Ford-Toyota when the Toyota Franchise was awarded to the company and in 2008 construction is completed on a major addition/renovation project that includes a customer service drive, additional office space and 14 additional service bays.

The Aroostook Partnership for Progress is a public-private partnership dedicated to aggressive and effective results-oriented economic development actions that leverage the financial commitments and talents of the private sector in close partnership with the public sector.