Lewiston, MAINE (February 25, 2010) – More than 100 community members, officials and residents came out this morning to celebrate the completion of the Birch Hill Senior Housing Project that has created affordable homes on what had been a long-vacant property

Photo from left to right: Jim Delamater, Northeast Bank; Ron Philips, Coastal Enterprises; Margaret Bean, Maine Housing (behind); Lucie Ottati, Birch Hill Resident; Kevin Reilley, Benchmark Construction (behind); Governor John E. Baldacci; Richard Berman, Development Collaborative; Mayor Laurent Gilbert, City of Lewiston.

The event at the corner of Birch and Knox streets in Lewiston featured speakers from the collaborating partners of the project who spoke on the importance of affordable senior housing in Maine, the various challenges that the project faced and the successful collaboration of local and state organizations. Facility tours were given and refreshments were provided by Willie Bean’s.

“Birch Hill is one of those projects that has truly had a positive impact on the community. These economic times are unprecedented, and capital is the difference between a project like Birch Hill coming to fruition or simply being a plan on the shelf. That is why we believe it is imperative for those of us who can, to work together to continue to invest in our future,” said Jim Delamater, President and CEO of Northeast Bank.

“The real story of Birch Hill is in how it got created. It is a story of collaboration and leadership. It involved collaboration of many key partners and it is a story of leadership as each partner had to exert their individual leadership to create the development. Hopefully, we will see more projects like this over the coming year and we are thankful that this development came to fruition for the residents and the community,” said Richard Berman of Developers Collaborative.

Also featured at Thursday’s event was Lucy Ottati, a new resident of the Birch Hill Apartments. She shared her gratitude and excitement about her new home.

“It’s a joy to wake up every day in a place surrounded by activity. To look outside my apartment and see kids getting off the school bus and having people around really makes me feel part of a community, and I’m just honored to be living here.”

Local and state officials were also present, including representatives from Senator Olympia Snowe’s and Congressmen Michael Michaud’s’ offices. Mayor Larry Gilbert of Lewiston spoke about the project being a part of Lewiston’s revitalization and the city’s goals for the future.

“The City of Lewiston continues to seek out and embrace opportunities to grow and develop through worthwhile projects like this one, even amidst the struggles of the current economy. . . We will continue to invest and reach out to our partners to do what needs to be done to meet the needs of our community and our residents.”

Gov. John E. Baldacci attended the event as the keynote speaker. He congratulated the partners of the project on their success and also spoke on the importance of collaborative development in the state.

The Birch Hill Senior Housing project has created 20 units of simple yet elegant affordable elderly rental housing in a new building in downtown Lewiston. The unit mix includes 17 one-bedroom units and 3 two-bedroom units, with 5 units to be fully handicapped accessible. All 20 of these units will be targeted to households aged 55 or older with incomes at or below 60% of Area Median Income (AMI). Wireless broadband access is built in to the facility and a computer is available in the community room for residents. The building also has a laundry room available to residents.

The Birch Hill Senior Housing project started construction a year ago on a 15 year vacant lot in the heart of Lewiston’s downtown. Its completion was made possible through a public-private partnership between the City of Lewiston, Lewiston Housing Authority, Maine State Housing Authority, Coastal Enterprises Inc., Northern New England Housing Investment Fund, Benchmark Construction, Developers Collaborative and Northeast Bank.

About Northeast Bank

Northeast Bank, a leader in delivering one-stop shopping for financial services, is headquartered in Lewiston, Maine and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northeast Bancorp (NASDAQ: NBN). The Company has approximately $612 million in assets as of December 31, 2009 and operates 26 retail outlets, including 11 bank branches, 15 insurance offices and 3 financial centers serving the financial needs of western, central, mid-coastal and southern Maine, as well as seacoast New Hampshire. Information regarding Northeast Bank can be found on its website at www.northeastbank.com or by contacting 1-800-284-5989.

Fan NEB on Facebook * Join the NEB group on LinkedIn * Follow NEB on Twitter: @northeast_bank * Check out the NEB YouTube Channel

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For Immediate Release

Contact:
Mike Payson
Ridgewood Associates
207-939-4478
mike@RidgewoodFalmouth.com
www.RidgewoodFalmouth.com

New Owners Give New Life to Falmouth Community

Falmouth, ME, September 9, 2009 — The former Ridgewood Estates development, located off of Falmouth Road in Falmouth, has been acquired and revitalized by Ridgewood Associates to create a community and lifestyle that appeal to the interests and demands of the evolving real estate market.

Shortening the name to simply “Ridgewood,” new owners Mike Payson and Jim Wescott, Falmouth natives and brothers-in-law, have reinvigorated the project with new capital and will soon announce their vision for the real estate development, which consists of freestanding single-family homes, organized under a condominium structure to streamline common-area maintenance.

Payson says, “The original plan for the former Ridgewood Estates was a great concept. Jim and I feel strongly, though, that some new ideas will enhance the appeal of the community and make it truly unique in southern Maine.” He adds, “We have the capital to realize our vision, and we’re already off to a very good start.”

The first neighborhood is under construction and will include eleven homes. Three are completed and for sale, with prices starting at $389,000. One home is already under contract. The remaining homes are being built over the next several months.

Port City Architecture designed a selection of five home styles, ranging from 1,800 to 3,600 square feet. Floor plans accommodate a social lifestyle with open kitchen, dining, and living areas that invite natural light. Homes are situated in small clusters with facing front porches that allow for neighborly engagement and back yards that offer privacy and views of fields, woods, and wildlife. SYTDesign planned the site with a focus on maintaining the land’s pastoral beauty while incorporating pedestrian walkways, stonewalls, and ponds.

Homes are offered through Bruce Lewis, Hona Longstaff, and David Banks of RE/MAX By The Bay, Portland, 207-773-2345.

To learn more about Ridgewood, visit www.RidgewoodFalmouth.com

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Bill Gabriel - New Territory Sales Manager for Distribution of Alternative Energy Products at Nelson & Small, Inc.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:

Claire Connell
Nelson & Small, Inc.
212 Canco Road
Portland, ME 04104
207-775-5666
clairec@nelsonsmall.com

Portland, Maine — June 15, 2009 —  Maine native Bill Gabriel has joined Nelson & Small, Inc., as Territory Sales Manager for distribution of alternative-energy products.

Gabriel will be responsible for dealer sales of all alternative-energy and selected high-efficiency conventional-fuel product lines throughout Maine. Product lines include solar-thermal flat panel and vacuum tubes, solar-electric (PV), Southwest and Mariah wind power, and Econar geothermal heat pumps, as well as Ruud standby generators and certain high-efficiency heating and water-heating products.

Gabriel had previously served as Eastern Regional Sales Manager for Colorado’s Infloor Heating Systems, specializing in the sale of Thermomax evacuated-tube solar-heating systems.

Gabriel holds a Master Plumbing license, gas license, oil burner license, and is a Certified Solar Energy Installer. Gabriel owned and operated Gabriel Plumbing & Heating and Gabriel Associates, a general contracting business for more than 20 years. He also owned and operated Gabriel Oil and Propane.

Gabriel is also a nine-year veteran of the armed services, having spent three years on active duty in the Army and six years in the National Guard, with Bravo Company of the 133rd Engineer Battalion based in Westbrook, Maine.

He was born and raised in South Portland and now resides in New Gloucester. He and his partner, Klara, own Wilson Brook Farm where they raise and train Friesian horses.

Gabriel can be reached at Nelson & Small, Inc. at 207-775-5666.

Nelson & Small, Inc. is a 73-year-old family-owned Maine-based wholesale distributor that distributes products throughout New England and Eastern New York. The company headquarters facility and warehouse is located in Portland, Maine. Primary product lines include major household appliances, energy-efficient home-heating and water-heating products, alternative-energy products, and commercial-laundry equipment. For more information, visit www.NelsonSmall.com

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: entreverge Director Johann Sabbath

Phone (207) 807-7073 cell

Email: johann.sabbath@gmail.com

Portland, ME – Portland PROPEL unveiled entreverge, a bold new project to celebrate and support local entrepreneurs.

The inaugural entreverge Awards, a collaborative project led by PROPEL in partnership with the Portland Regional Chamber and numerous local businesses, business groups, non-profits, and social networks, will accelerate economic growth by connecting entrepreneurs and business innovators with resources and relationships within Portland’s local business community.

“The launch of entreverge comes at a time when the economy is starving for positive energy and when national trends toward innovation and entrepreneurship are amplifying louder than ever”, said Mike Carey, Chair of PROPEL and auctioneer with Tranzon Auction Properties.

Nominations for the entreverge Awards will be fielded at www.entreverge.com from May 5th to 31st.  Nominees will be considered by PROPEL on a number of criteria, including the nominees’ scalable vision for their business and their commitment to a triple bottom line—the people, place, and prosperity of Maine.

Five entreverge Award-winners will receive face time with Portland’s leading business figures and a package of pro bono consultation, services, and products volunteered by local artistic, finance, IT, legal, marketing, and web experts and other business service providers.

Dana Hutchins, owner of Image Works Internet Business Solutions, is one of the local business leaders who is volunteering consulting services to the winners.  “When I was approached about getting involved, “ remarked Dana, “I thought is was a great opportunity to give back to the business community and meet exciting new clients.”

“This is a critical time for collaboration and getting the resources of Portland’s business community behind its future leaders,” said Will Thomas, an entreverge organizer and founder of the Portland-based triathlon company Tri-Maine. 

The entreverge Awards will culminate with a celebration on Thursday evening, June 25th at Port City Music Hall in downtown Portland with live performances by Adam and the Waxmen and the Jason Spooner Band. Tickets can be purchased through the Portland Regional Chamber by calling 207-772-2811.

Recognizing the need to celebrate risk and innovation in today’s economic climate, PROPEL began planning entreverge this winter when approached by the University of Maine Farmington and Swardlick Marketing Group.  Six months later—after comprehensive feedback from many of Portland’s business leaders and social entrepreneurs—entreverge has arrived.

“I’ve spent the last few months meeting with business leaders and organizational heads throughout Greater Portland,” said entreverge Director Johann Sabbath, “trying to figure out the greatest potential value that PROPEL could bring to the community.  Organizing entreverge became the answer.”

Portland PROPEL is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering leadership and education among Greater Portland’s young blue, white, green, and no-collar business community. In 2006, PROPEL was inspired by the Realize!Maine network and formed as an affiliate of the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce.

entreverge is made possible by Premier Sponsors Bangor Savings Bank, Swardlick Marketing Group, and the University of Maine Farmington and Premier Media Sponsor Mainebiz.

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KENNEBUNK, Maine, April 20, 2009 — Wholesale Express, LLC, dba Pillsbury’s has sold its plumbing and heating division (Pillsbury Plumbing & Heating) to Garrett Plumbing & Heating effective April 8, 2009. This acquisition merges two of the premier plumbing & heating contracting companies in the Kennebunk/Kennebunkport area. Garrett Plumbing & Heating has hired the entire Pillsbury Plumbing & Heating contracting and administrative team and changed its business name to Garrett Pillsbury Plumbing & Heating.

Mark Oliver, president and owner of Garrett Pillsbury, said, “I’m thrilled to have acquired Pillsbury’s Plumbing & Heating and to have added its outstanding team to my own. We have one goal at Garrett Pillsbury — to be recognized by our customers and peers as one of the best in the field — and this new team will be very hard to beat.” Oliver added, “Pillsbury’s and the L’Heureux family built a strong 50-year tradition of high-quality service, and I’m proud to continue providing that through this merger.”

Steve Finberg, president of Wholesale Express, LLC, said, “while this combination creates one of the largest, most progressive, and most experienced plumbing and heating contracting companies in York County, the more important thing is that it guarantees continuity for a 50-year-old tradition of excellent service and top-notch workmanship.”

ABOUT Garrett Pillsbury — Garrett Pillsbury is a full-service plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning company serving the York County coastal community.

For additional information on Garrett Plumbing & Heating’s acquisition of Pillsbury’s Plumbing & Heating, contact Steve Finberg.

CONTACT:
Steve Finberg, President
Wholesale Express, LLC dba Pillsbury’s
207-985-6783
stevefinberg@maine.rr.com

Mark Oliver, President/Owner
Garrett Pillsbury Plumbing & Heating
207-967-0793
mark_gph@roadrunner.com