Contact: Elizabeth Sutherland, APR  207-945-9999

esutherland@sutherlandweston.com

New Contract Brings Additional Jobs to Northern and Eastern Maine

David Whitney, president and owner of Whitney Wreath in Machias, announced today that Whitney Wreath has been selected as the provider of balsam products for the 2009 L.L. Bean holiday catalog. Winning this competitive selection process establishes Whitney Wreath as the largest mail-order Christmas wreath company in the United States.

“This is great news for our successful business in Washington County,” said David Whitney today. “Since 1988 we have worked hard to establish Whitney Wreath as the premier wreath company of Maine and this contract with L.L.Bean validates all that we have worked for. We have loyal, hard working employees year round that have helped this happen, and I cannot say enough about our seasonal employees who are committed to producing the finest wreaths and other balsam products for the company.”

“We are pleased to be working with Whitney Wreath to provide quality balsam products to our customers this Christmas  season. We are doubly pleased to be supporting the Maine balsam business in Washington County.” Mark Fasold, Sr VP & Chief Financial Officer.

Whitney Wreath estimates that several full time employees, approximately 20 eight month positions and an additional 250 seasonal workers will be required for the increased production demand throughout the company’s seasonal décor and wreath producing facilities. Whitney Wreath has four facilities in Maine: Machias, Crawford, Indian Township and Presque Isle.

“Adding another 250 jobs this fall is a great boost to the region’s economy,” added Whitney. “I am pleased Whitney Wreath was selected by L.L. Bean to be part of its national sales effort, but most significant to me is the positive economic impact these jobs will have on our rural communities in Washington and Aroostook counties.”

30-30-30

About L.L.Bean, Inc.

L.L.Bean, Inc. is a leading multi-channel merchant of quality outdoor gear and apparel.  Founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean, the company began as a one-room operation selling a single product, the Maine Hunting Shoe.  While its business has grown substantially, the company remains committed to the same honest principles upon which it was built – a focus on the customer, continuous product improvement and innovation, respect for people, preservation of the natural environment and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.  The 220,000 sq. ft. flagship campus of stores in Freeport, Maine is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and welcomes more than three million visitors each year. L.L.Bean can be found worldwide on www.llbean.com

About Whitney Wreath

Whitney Wreath is one of the largest producers of fresh holiday wreaths and home decorations in the nation. Started in 1984 on the back of owner’s, David Whitney, pick-up truck; Whitney’s has been providing fresh, full balsam wreaths to families throughout the United States for more than 25 years. In 2007 Whitney was awarded the U.S. Small Business Administration Jeffrey H. Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year in Maine. More about Whitney Wreath can be found at www.whitneywreath.com.

TOP GUN Accepting Applications for 2009 Program

 The Maine Center for Enterprise Development (MCED) is recruiting dynamic technology entrepreneurs to participate in its Applied Entrepreneurship Program aka ‘Top Gun’.  With the support of the Maine Technology Institute, MCED will test a new model for identifying and developing Maine’s future technology business leaders through a network of experienced mentors who will provide continuous learning opportunities.

“Top Gun is the first of its kind in Maine,” states Steve Bazinet, MCED President. “This program will be visionary, just as Idea Lab and other technology incubators helped create the foundation of the information economy, Top Gun will support entrepreneurs seeking to establish and build their business here in Maine.”

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Top Gun’s mission is to identify and nurture talented and entrepreneurial Mainers, match them with targeted training and mentors, and provide the resources to succeed as innovative/technology entrepreneurs in Maine. With generous support of sponsors, MCED is able to offer the program at an affordable fee of $275.

The three-month long program trains entrepreneurs in areas vital to the management and profitability of their growth-oriented businesses.  Each week, 1-2 hour long evening presentations led by top professionals and serial entrepreneurs, will provide valuable tools to the participants.  In addition to the weekly presentations, participants will spend time working side-by-side with their mentor(s) at their mutual discretion. A team of seasoned entrepreneurs and respected business professionals with “real-world” experience will be instructors in the program — combining street smarts with academic/business intellect to deliver accelerated learning to early-stage entrepreneurs.

Top Gun is highly selective with a simple criteria:  Find the technology business leaders of the future who are willing to establish their business in Maine. Top Gun aims to differentiate its offering to business talent by investing in developing future business leaders.

Apply Now

Applications for the Top Gun Program are now being accepted online at Top Gun Application. An advisory board made up of private sector professionals and leading technology entrepreneurs will carefully consider each application looking to indentify the state’s “best of the best” technology entrepreneurs and partner them with Maine’s most seasoned professionals. The application deadline is July 31, 2009; acceptance notices will be sent on a rolling basis.

We welcome your involvement with Top Gun as an entrepreneur, presenter, mentor, service provider or sponsor. Additional information about The Applied Entrepreneurship Program, including a complete list of guidelines and online application is available at Top Gun . For additional information contact Steve Bazinet sbazinet@mced.biz or 207.228.8525.