FAME showcases manufacturer, lenders, educational foundation in virtual awards
File Photo / Meagan Littlefield
Pete Roberts is founder and CEO of Origin USA, a Farmington manufacturer of martial arts gear that was honored with FAME's 2020 Business at Work for Maine Award.
Farmington’s only manufacturer, three Maine banks and an organization working to grow the forest products industry were honored Thursday by the Finance Authority of Maine for contributions to the state’s economic and educational well-being.
The pandemic forced FAME to cancel Showcase Maine, the authority’s annual celebration of its partnerships with businesses, lenders, government and higher educational institutions. But FAME presented its annual Showcase awards in a virtual ceremony at a board meeting.
The authority is a quasi-independent state agency that provides financial solutions to help Mainers achieve business and higher education goals. Founded in 1983, FAME has honored some of the state’s most successful companies and organizations with the Showcase awards.
“Although we are unable to gather in person this year, FAME nonetheless believes it is vitally important to honor our partners and provide an alternative means to recognize their contributions,” said Bruce Wagner, FAME’s chief executive officer, in a news release. “We are pleased to honor our partners who help to make Maine’s economic and educational futures brighter, especially during these challenging times.”
Here are this year’s winners.
Business at Work for Maine Award: Origin USA
Origin USA, a manufacturer of apparel and other gear for martial arts, was honored for helping to return manufacturing to the state. Founded in 2011 by Pete Roberts, a 2018 Mainebiz Next List honoree, Origin in August was recognized on the Inc. 5000 list as one of the country’s fastest-growing private companies, No. 362. In 2017, with the help of FAME loan insurance and financing through Franklin Savings Bank, the business moved from its location in the Franklin County town of Industry to Farmington. The company has also expanded into mainstream apparel, and produces nutritional supplements with a sister company. Origin currently employs 80 people in the Farmington area, and is planning to add manufacturing and warehouse space at an additional location in North Jay.
Education at Work for Maine Award: University of Maine Pulp & Paper Foundation
The University of Maine Pulp & Paper Foundation was honored for playing an integral role in the transformation and revitalization of the Maine forest products industry. The foundation helps to create engineers for future roles in the industry, while introducing top talent to forest products businesses within Maine. Each year, the foundation provides 130 scholarships to engineering students at the University of Maine who express an interest in pursuing a career in the pulp and paper industry, and plans to soon increase that number to 150 scholarships. The foundation also acts as a matchmaker between students and employers, with activities such as its annual “Paper Days” networking event, which hosts over 350 guests including students, university faculty, government officials and corporate partners.
Lender at Work for Maine Award, $1.5B or More in Assets: Camden National Bank
This year’s recognition is Camden National’s 11th Showcase award. Over the past year, the bank has partnered with FAME on 30 loans totaling approximately $3.8 million. This in turn helped to create and retain 408 Maine jobs. In addition to being a top partner in stimulating economic development in Maine, Camden National is actively committed to the communities in which it operates. Founded in 1875, the bank encourages employee volunteerism and makes donations to local nonprofits.
Lender at Work for Maine Award, Less than $1.5B in Assets: Norway Savings Bank
Founded in 1866, Norway Savings Bank has supported generations of Maine families and business owners. With locations throughout Maine, the bank fosters a culture of giving by encouraging its employees to find ways to contribute to their communities. Each year an employee is honored with the Extra Mile Award for going above and beyond in their volunteer achievements. This past year, FAME partnered with Norway Savings on 26 loans to Maine companies totaling approximately $2.8 million. This helped to create and retain 279 Maine jobs.
Lender at Work for Maine Award, Most Increased Partnership: Franklin Savings Bank
A community bank based in Farmington, Franklin Savings conducts business primarily in western and central Maine with commercial services offered in Ellsworth. In addition to its main office in Farmington, the bank has branches in Rumford, Rangeley, Skowhegan, Jay, Wilton and Mt. Blue Campus. FAME partnered this year with Franklin Savings on 13 loans totaling $2.1 million. This helped to create and retain 152 Maine jobs. Franklin Savings is being recognized for its increased partnership with FAME this past year utilizing the agency’s commercial loan insurance program. Through its FSB Community Development Foundation, the bank takes pride in its support of various causes in the community.
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