Six Maine companies were recognized Wednesday by Gov. Paul LePage for commitment to their communities and business excellence.

The 2015 Governor’s Award for Business Excellence were awarded at a reception at the Blaine House in Augusta. The 25th annual awards were administered by the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development.

Mark McAuliffe is CEO of Apothecary by Design, one of the companies recognized by Gov. Paul LePage.

“These businesses represent the best of the best here in Maine,” said LePage in a statement. “I am particularly pleased that each of these businesses has shown a commitment to investment, innovation, their communities and to our great state. I thank each of them for doing business in Maine. My administration remains committed to creating the best business environment possible so all Maine people can prosper in an improving economy with more good-paying careers.”

Among those honored were:

• Moose Alley /Inner Eye, Rangeley: Moose Alley Operations has repurposed two Rangeley buildings – one built in the 1980s and the other from the 1920s – into Moose Alley, a bowling alley, restaurant and live entertainment venue that is open 365 days a year, and the Inner Eye, a unique bakery, café and gift shop. The businesses help ensure that the Rangeley region will continue to be a recreational destination.

• Horch Roofing, Warren: Horch Roofing, a residential and commercial roofing company established in 2003, has grown to serve the mid-coast area from Belfast to Brunswick, completing 1,000 jobs annually with a team of 35 employees. Horch is also committed to the environment and community. Through its Reroof and Recycle program, the company has recycled more than 5.6 million pounds of roofing waste material since 2010 – creating aggregate material that is reused to pave driveways and roads. Horch Roofing also donates time and resources to many nonprofit organizations in the mid-coast, including Habitat for Humanity, United Mid-Coast Charities and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

• Lucas Tree Experts, Falmouth: Founded in 1926, Lucas Tree experts is a third-generation, family-owned tree-care business with 552 employees stretching from Nova Scotia to South Carolina, which operates year-round. Employee safety and well-being are at the core of Lucas, which has developed a responsive system of safety standards that is regionally and nationally recognized. The company is also a longtime supporter of Special Olympics-Maine and many other charitable causes.

• Rangeley Lakes Builders Supply, Rangeley: Owners Gary and Jackie Patnode found the small mountain town on a family vacation. They opened their full-service lumber yard in 1983, which has grown to 20 employees. Gary is proud to say they have never laid anyone off, and in 2006, the Patnode’s daughter and son-in-law moved home to join the family business. They hope to pass the business to a third generation.

• Apothecary by Design, Portland: A rapidly growing, independent pharmacy, Apothecary By Design also provides intensive case management services, patient education, nursing consultation and other clinical support for people with life-changing conditions such as HIV, hepatitis C and infertility. Staff work on behalf of patients to optimize treatment at the lowest possible cost. Founded in 2008, ABD employs nearly 100 and was recently ranked No. 4 in Maine on Inc. Magazine’s list of fastest-growing private companies.

• Plum Creek, Greenville region: As one of the largest private landowners in Maine, with approximately 861,000 acres of sustainably managed and certified forestland, Plum Creek is a significant supplier to the state’s forest products industry, which contributes approximately $8 billion to Maine’s economy each year. The company, which has been in Maine for 17 years, was recognized for its business leadership and commitments as an employer, corporate citizen, conservation partner, large timberland owner, economic development partner and recreational partner.

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