The Portland Development Corporation honored three local businesses Wednesday night at the State Theatre, which won the Economic Development Achievement Award. EnviroLogix won Business of the Year, and Rosemont Market and Bakery won Best Small Business of the Year.
This is the 17th year the awards have been given out, and city officials gathered to join in the party. Mayor Michael Brennan, City Manager Mark Rees, State Senator-elect Anne Haskell and others took turns singing the praises of these three businesses and the variety of benefits they provide to the community. Despite national talk of tough economic times and the looming fiscal cliff, this ceremony had all the enthusiasm and energy of a new company's ribbon-cutting.
Nelle Hanig, business programs manager for the city, introduced Rosemont Market and Bakery. The 2012 Small Business of the Year, Rosemont Market and Bakery first opened its doors in 2005 on Brighton Avenue, according to a press release. Since then, owners John Naylor and Scott Anderson have expanded into three more retail locations, two in Portland (at 88 Congress St., and 5 Commercial St., as well as 580 Brighton Ave.) and one in Yarmouth. The business focuses on purveying the best in produce, dairy, meats, fish, baked goods, prepared foods, wine and beer, the statement read. Built on relationships, Rosemont has established a vast network of local growers, farmers and producers to supply its shops. While the business started small, it now employs 65 people in Portland, Naylor said, and offers the quintessential local grocery store experience to three Portland neighborhoods.
Naylor handles the retail and marketing part of the business, while Anderson, a baker, handles the kitchen production part of it.
In accepting the award, Anderson said he hopes it will "help make us something bigger than a small business."
Naylor said he had heard a couple of months ago that they had won. "It's really nice. I'm thankful for it. I think it's really fabulous that the city recognizes us. We're a small business in a community we really like," he said. "The whole premise with Rosemont is we try to do as much with local farms as we can, butcher shop, dairy products, cheeses… Our focus is to be a market for local production as much as we can, to create an interaction between where your food is coming from and where your food is going to."
Portland is ahead of most other places, in terms of food to table idealism, Naylor said, crediting the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, "a non-profit organization which really drives the agricultural part of Maine," he said. He contrasted Maine with Vermont, where the state drives the agricultural industries.
"Maine supports its farmers, and us as a market. That helps to drive this whole local economy," Naylor said. "We look forward for a long and bright future for Rosemont and Portland."
EnviroLogix was introduced by Rees. Receiving the 2012 Business of the Year Award, EnviroLogix has for more than fourteen years built on its strong scientific foundation to become an industry leader in the development and manufacture of immunoassay test kits for every link in the worldwide food production chain, from seed to plant to grain handling and processing, according to a press release.
Acquired in 2010 by Ensign-Bickford Industries, the parent company was committed to keeping EnviroLogix in Portland and supported the purchase of its formerly leased space, as well as a second building to accommodate its expansion. Now, under the leadership of John Markin, president and CEO, EnviroLogix occupies 67,000 square feet in its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Portland, and employs well over one hundred people, the statement read. Maine’s ability to build its reputation as an ideal location for the bioscience industry is thanks in part to the success of EnviroLogix and its commitment to Portland.
The State Theatre was introduced by Brennan. Stone Coast properties, which owns the theater, was said to have invested a million dollars in the State since it reopened. Receiving the 2012 Economic Development Achievement Award, the State Theatre was described as one of Portland's great historic theaters and top music venues. On October 15, 2010, the lights, once again, shined bright at the theater, which for the past years remained dark, according to a press release. The re-opening of the State Theatre was welcome news to the city, the downtown Arts District, and music lovers far and wide. In its first year of its operation, the State presented more than eighty performances and injected tremendous energy into the High and Congress Street area, the statement read.
In introducing the theater, Brennan said "its renaissance was brought to life by the commitment and hard work of its owner, Stone Coast Properties and its President Ron Goglia, Crobo - a partnership of Alex Crothers of Crothers Entertainment and Jim Glancy of The Bowery Presents, and Lauren Wayne at the helm as the theatre's general manager and talent buyer."
Brennan was happy to take in Mumford and Sons this past summer, but rued missing out on the Bob Dylan show and put in a plug for tickets to his next visit.
"Choosing the State Theatre for this year's Economic Development Achievement Award was an easy decision,” said Jack Lufkin, president of the Portland Development Corporation. “Since it re-opened two years ago, the State has had such a significant positive impact on Portland's music scene and on the vitality of the Arts District. What a great contribution it's made to the City of Portland."
Recently, Wayne announced plans for a 2013 Corporate Partnership Initiative. She emphasized the impetus for the initiative is to offer a select number of strategic partners the opportunity to help continue developing Maine’s vibrant music and arts community.
“We are thrilled to receive the recognition from the city regarding the State Theatre’s contribution to the health and economic vitality of Portland. We are also excited to announce that the State is looking for like-minded businesses who understand that the live music experience is where connections are made with the fans. We are seeking partners who can collaborate with us to develop creative and exciting ways in which to engage their existing customers as well as attract new customers, while energizing the arts and entertainment community,” Wayne said.
In the past, the State Theatre has worked with The Empire Dance & Dance, Space, the Civic Center, and Port City Music Hall, among other venues.
In receiving the award, Wayne said she was in the promotion side of the business, so she preferred not to be on stage, but she spoke long enough to give a shout out to the building manager and several of her staff, encouraging them to stand for recognition.
In remarks made after the awards were given, state Senator-elect Anne Haskell offered additional kudos from the state, saying it took special dispensation because the businesses had won a city award, and not one competed in statewide. She was particularly proud of the companies, she said. She lives within walking distance to Rosemont Market & Bakery. And her son, David Larrivee, and daughter, Susan Whipkey, both work for EnviroLogix.
This is the 17th year the awards have been given out, and city officials gathered to join in the party. Mayor Michael Brennan, City Manager Mark Rees, State Senator-elect Anne Haskell and others took turns singing the praises of these three businesses and the variety of benefits they provide to the community. Despite national talk of tough economic times and the looming fiscal cliff, this ceremony had all the enthusiasm and energy of a new company's ribbon-cutting.
Nelle Hanig, business programs manager for the city, introduced Rosemont Market and Bakery. The 2012 Small Business of the Year, Rosemont Market and Bakery first opened its doors in 2005 on Brighton Avenue, according to a press release. Since then, owners John Naylor and Scott Anderson have expanded into three more retail locations, two in Portland (at 88 Congress St., and 5 Commercial St., as well as 580 Brighton Ave.) and one in Yarmouth. The business focuses on purveying the best in produce, dairy, meats, fish, baked goods, prepared foods, wine and beer, the statement read. Built on relationships, Rosemont has established a vast network of local growers, farmers and producers to supply its shops. While the business started small, it now employs 65 people in Portland, Naylor said, and offers the quintessential local grocery store experience to three Portland neighborhoods.
Naylor handles the retail and marketing part of the business, while Anderson, a baker, handles the kitchen production part of it.
In accepting the award, Anderson said he hopes it will "help make us something bigger than a small business."
Naylor said he had heard a couple of months ago that they had won. "It's really nice. I'm thankful for it. I think it's really fabulous that the city recognizes us. We're a small business in a community we really like," he said. "The whole premise with Rosemont is we try to do as much with local farms as we can, butcher shop, dairy products, cheeses… Our focus is to be a market for local production as much as we can, to create an interaction between where your food is coming from and where your food is going to."
Portland is ahead of most other places, in terms of food to table idealism, Naylor said, crediting the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, "a non-profit organization which really drives the agricultural part of Maine," he said. He contrasted Maine with Vermont, where the state drives the agricultural industries.
"Maine supports its farmers, and us as a market. That helps to drive this whole local economy," Naylor said. "We look forward for a long and bright future for Rosemont and Portland."
EnviroLogix was introduced by Rees. Receiving the 2012 Business of the Year Award, EnviroLogix has for more than fourteen years built on its strong scientific foundation to become an industry leader in the development and manufacture of immunoassay test kits for every link in the worldwide food production chain, from seed to plant to grain handling and processing, according to a press release.
Acquired in 2010 by Ensign-Bickford Industries, the parent company was committed to keeping EnviroLogix in Portland and supported the purchase of its formerly leased space, as well as a second building to accommodate its expansion. Now, under the leadership of John Markin, president and CEO, EnviroLogix occupies 67,000 square feet in its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Portland, and employs well over one hundred people, the statement read. Maine’s ability to build its reputation as an ideal location for the bioscience industry is thanks in part to the success of EnviroLogix and its commitment to Portland.
The State Theatre was introduced by Brennan. Stone Coast properties, which owns the theater, was said to have invested a million dollars in the State since it reopened. Receiving the 2012 Economic Development Achievement Award, the State Theatre was described as one of Portland's great historic theaters and top music venues. On October 15, 2010, the lights, once again, shined bright at the theater, which for the past years remained dark, according to a press release. The re-opening of the State Theatre was welcome news to the city, the downtown Arts District, and music lovers far and wide. In its first year of its operation, the State presented more than eighty performances and injected tremendous energy into the High and Congress Street area, the statement read.
In introducing the theater, Brennan said "its renaissance was brought to life by the commitment and hard work of its owner, Stone Coast Properties and its President Ron Goglia, Crobo - a partnership of Alex Crothers of Crothers Entertainment and Jim Glancy of The Bowery Presents, and Lauren Wayne at the helm as the theatre's general manager and talent buyer."
Brennan was happy to take in Mumford and Sons this past summer, but rued missing out on the Bob Dylan show and put in a plug for tickets to his next visit.
"Choosing the State Theatre for this year's Economic Development Achievement Award was an easy decision,” said Jack Lufkin, president of the Portland Development Corporation. “Since it re-opened two years ago, the State has had such a significant positive impact on Portland's music scene and on the vitality of the Arts District. What a great contribution it's made to the City of Portland."
Recently, Wayne announced plans for a 2013 Corporate Partnership Initiative. She emphasized the impetus for the initiative is to offer a select number of strategic partners the opportunity to help continue developing Maine’s vibrant music and arts community.
“We are thrilled to receive the recognition from the city regarding the State Theatre’s contribution to the health and economic vitality of Portland. We are also excited to announce that the State is looking for like-minded businesses who understand that the live music experience is where connections are made with the fans. We are seeking partners who can collaborate with us to develop creative and exciting ways in which to engage their existing customers as well as attract new customers, while energizing the arts and entertainment community,” Wayne said.
In the past, the State Theatre has worked with The Empire Dance & Dance, Space, the Civic Center, and Port City Music Hall, among other venues.
In receiving the award, Wayne said she was in the promotion side of the business, so she preferred not to be on stage, but she spoke long enough to give a shout out to the building manager and several of her staff, encouraging them to stand for recognition.
In remarks made after the awards were given, state Senator-elect Anne Haskell offered additional kudos from the state, saying it took special dispensation because the businesses had won a city award, and not one competed in statewide. She was particularly proud of the companies, she said. She lives within walking distance to Rosemont Market & Bakery. And her son, David Larrivee, and daughter, Susan Whipkey, both work for EnviroLogix.