11/17/2006 - 11/17/2006 - The Downtown Portland Corporation (DPC), the financial arm of the City of Portland's Economic Development Division, has recognized one individual and two businesses for their contribution to the economic vitality of Portland.

This year's award recipients are:

Economic Development Achievement Award

Theodore (Ted) West

Mr. West took a chance in Bayside and invested in property that had been utilized as the City's salt shed. The green domed structure was an eyesore at an important gateway entrance to the City. The AAA Building now stands as a signature headquarters for the company and the City has realized nearly an $8 million dollar increase in taxable value. The DPC assisted the project with a Development Action Grant of $25,000 for public infrastructure costs associated with the project. Mr. West is now in a the final stages of Planning Board approval to develop 72,000 sq. ft. medical office building atop a 435-space parking garage at the City's "USM Lot" on Marginal Way across from the AAA Building. In addition, he is completing another 24,000 sq. ft. building at the former location of the Miss Portland Diner.


2006 Business of the Year Award

Barber Foods

Started back in 1955, Barber Foods has become one of the largest employers in Portland with more than 750 employees from 48 different countries, speaking 51 languages. The company manufactures a line of more than 500 food items and is recognized nationally for its training and education programs and its commitment to diversity. Since 1992, Barber has provided on-site GED instruction for its workers and now offers an on-site college program in conjunction with SMCC and USM. Continuing its growth in Portland, the company recently decided to invest in a 210,000 square foot processing facility on Milliken Street.


Small Business of the Year

555 Congress Street (Michelle & Steve Corey)

Just a few months ago 555 expanded into the adjacent storefront, almost doubling the size of the restaurant. Michelle and Steve Corey started 555 close to three years ago. This fine-dining establishment, serving California-oriented cuisine, uses food from local Maine producers as much as possible and visits the Portland Farmer's Market twice a week for supplies. Michelle and Steve took a chance on Congress Street, investing in real estate and starting a high quality restaurant there well before any of the recent acquisitions and upper floor residential conversions began. After just two years, 555 was already a success. The restaurant has received many great reviews, including a write up last year in Organic Living magazine. The business employs 20-25 people, most of whom are full-time. Here is a listing of past award recipients:


Past award recipients:


The Downtown Economic Developer of the Year Award

1995: Art Girard and Michael Scarks of A&M Partners

1996: Rob Graham, President of Talk America

1997: Penny Carson of Commercial and Industrial Properties

1998: David Murray, Unum Life Insurance Company of America

1999: Peoples Heritage Bank

2000: Resort Sports Network (RSN)

2001: Robert B. Ganley

2002: David Bateman

2003: Cianbro (Peter Vigue).

2004: Olympia Equity Investors (Kevin Mahaney)


Economic Development Achievement Award:

2005: Gulf of Maine Research Institute


Small Business of the Year Award

2000: Coffee by Design

2001: Fore Street Restaurant

2002: Longfellow Books

2003: G.G. Direct - William Sweeney

2004: MariCal (David Hughes and H. William Harris)

2005: Designs by Lucinda


Business of the Year Award

2004: Spectrum Printing (Alex McCullough and Mike Fournier)

2005: Oakhurst Dairy