FAME's Annual "Showcase Maine" to be Held November 13th at Portland's Holiday Inn By the Bay

The Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) will hold its annual meeting and awards event, Showcase Maine, on Tuesday, November 13, 2012, beginning at 4:30 p.m. at Portland’s Holiday Inn By The Bay.

Showcase Maine is a celebration of the many successful businesses and higher education initiatives happening within Maine. 

The evening will feature a reception, including a showcase of exhibits by Maine businesses and educational organizations that partner with FAME; a dinner and awards presentation; and a keynote speech by Robert C. Pozen. 

Pozen is a senior lecturer at Harvard Business School and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.  He previously served as chair of MFS Investment; vice chair of Fidelity Investments; and president of Fidelity Management and Research Company.  Pozen will offer post-election reflections on the U.S. economy, including the likelihood of Congress avoiding the impending “fiscal cliff.”

“We look forward to celebrating the successes of the past year with our partners in Maine’s business and higher education communities,” said Beth Bordowitz, FAME’s Chief Executive Officer.  “We are proud to showcase Maine businesses and educational organizations, and it is a privilege for us to honor some of Maine’s innovative leaders.”

This year’s award recipients include: 

• Anania & Associates Investment Company, LLC of Portland (Business at Work for Maine Award):  Anania & Associates Investment Company is a private investment fund that invests in small, well-managed companies in the manufacturing, service and distribution sectors.  Over the years it has successfully utilized the FAME-administered Maine Seed Capital Tax Credit Program to increase out-of-state investment in Maine.  Some businesses in Anania & Associates’ portfolio have used other FAME programs to expand into new product lines.
• Junior Achievement of Maine (Education at Work for Maine Award):  JA is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating Maine students in grades K-12 about entrepreneurship, work readiness, and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs.  In the 2011-12 academic year, JA delivered programs to 535 Maine classes and 9,915 students in 112 Maine schools.
• Camden National Bank (Financial Institution of the Year Award):  Camden National Bank frequently partners with FAME to provide financing to Maine businesses.  It also is committed to the communities it serves, supporting a variety of businesses, community, and non-profit organizations.  The bank sponsors Community Spirit of Giving, a community outreach program that helps raise money to help area families in need at the holidays. 
• Machias Savings Bank (Financial Institution of the Year Award):  Machias Savings Bank actively partners with FAME to provide financing to local businesses, including lobstermen and the fishing industry.  In 2011, Machias Savings employees donated many hours of volunteer labor by participating in many worthy causes, from coaching youth sports to serving on non-profit boards.  During the same period, the bank contributed monetarily to various organizations, as well.  
• Hon. David Richardson of Carmel (Dirigo Legislative Champion Award):  Richardson, a state representative from Carmel, was co-chair of the 125 Maine Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs.  He is a strong supporter of FAME’s mission, especially with respect to providing higher education opportunities for all Maine students.

The public is welcome to attend in this celebration.  Anyone interested in attending the event can register online at www.famemaine.com