11/18/2010 - The Downtown Portland Corporation (DPC), a quasi municipal corporation of the City of Portland, presented its fifteenth annual business awards to three local businesses that have played a major role in developing Portland’s economic vitality.

President and General Manager of the Maine Red Claws Jon Jennings accepted the 2010 Economic Development Achievement Award for the success of the new professional basketball team in Portland. During its first season, the team led the NBA D-League not only in sales of season tickets but also overall revenue generated so much so that a Maine Red Claws ticket has become a hot commodity with every game selling out. The team employs forty-five people and plays their home games at the city’s Portland Exposition Building.

B&M, a Division of B&G Foods receiveed the 2010 Business of Year Award, accepted by Bill Herbes of B&G Foods, for its more than one hundred and forty years of success in the city. B&M employs approximately one hundred and fifty people and four years ago, the company expanded production at the Portland facility to include Underwood Meat Spread. The Portland landmark is a great source of pride for the city and the business community.

Allagash Brewing received the 2010 Small Business of Year Award, accepted by its owner Rob Tod. Selling its first batch of beer in 1995, the once one-man brewing company has expanded to twenty-five employees, receiving national awards for its premiere beer with a gold, silver and bronze medal from past World Beer Cups. The Allagash Brewing has earned its reputation with a variety of traditional and experimental Belgian-style beers aged in liquor barrels. The company also gives back to the community with its Allagash Tribute Series. For every bottle sold, a dollar is donated to local nonprofits, most recently $10,000 gifts to the St. Lawrence Arts Center, Victoria Mansion and Maine Pediatric Nurses Association.

All three award recipients were recognized at the DPC’s annual event held on November 18th.

The DPC was created by the Portland City Council in 1990 to create and foster economic development within the city.