FAME’s Showcase Maine to celebrate ‘successes’ of past year

Photo / Amber Waterman Bruce Wagner, CEO of the Finance Authority of Maine. On Tuesday, FAME will honor several of its business partners at its annual Showcase Maine event, which will be held at the Portland Holiday In By the Bay.

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By Staff

The Finance Authority of Maine will honor several of its business partners Tuesday at its Showcase Maine annual celebration of successful partnerships with Maine’s business, lending, governmental and higher education communities.

The event will be held at Portland’s Holiday Inn By the Bay from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

“FAME looks forward to celebrating the successes of the past year with our partners in Maine’s business, lending, governmental, and higher education communities,” Bruce Wagner, FAME’s CEO, said in a news release. “We are eager to showcase the progress we all are making educating our workforce and growing well-paying Maine jobs. We are pleased to honor our partners who help to make Maine’s economic and educational future brighter.”

Honoring key FAME partners

This year’s award recipients include:

Casco Bay Vending LLC, d/b/a Casco Bay Food & Beverage, will receive FAME’s Business at Work for Maine Award.

Casco Bay Food & Beverage offers traditional and healthier refreshment selections to meet Maine employees’ nutritional needs and help boost energy and productivity at work places.

An independently owned Maine business that serves 14 of Maine’s 16 counties, the company provides a full array of services, including traditional vending (snack and beverage machines), micro-marts, convenience stores at business locations, full-service cafe operations and dining, and office coffee and sundry supplies.

FAME will be recognizing this company for helping to preserve its Maine ownership. The company was the recipient of FAME’s largest loan insurance approval last year, in partnership with Camden National Bank, which helped to create and retain 545 quality Maine jobs.

Harold Alfond Foundation will receive the Education at Work for Maine Award.

Founded in 1950, the foundation furthers the philanthropic legacy of the late Harold Alfond, founder of Dexter Shoe Company and a longtime supporter of Maine communities and institutions, including two programs that FAME helps to administer: the Harold Alfond College Challenge and the Alfond Leaders Program.

Camden National Bank will receive the Lender at Work for Maine Award for institutions with over $1.5 billion in assets.

This is the bank’s eighth time as an awardee. Over the past year, Camden National partnered with FAME on 46 loans totaling over $17.3 million. This, in turn helped to create 110 Maine jobs and retain an additional 435 jobs.

Machias Savings Bank will receive the Lender at Work for Maine Award for institutions with under $1.5 billion in assets.

This past year, FAME partnered with Machias Savings on 47 loans to Maine companies totaling over $12.7 million. This helped to create 86 Maine jobs and retain an additional 298 jobs. Machias Savings is dedicated to serving Maine communities, contributing many hours of volunteer labor and generous financial donations to worthy causes.