Kennebec Savings Bank awards $50,000 to seven community organizations

Kennebec Savings Bank recently awarded $50,000 in grants to seven community organizations throughout its service area. The awards were made after the bank received a competitive grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston’s Jobs for New England Recovery Grant program. The organizations that received funding are the Snow Pond Center for the Arts, Johnson Hall, Colonial Theater, Tedford Housing, Habitat for Humanity 7 Rivers, Bread of Life Ministries and Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program.

The pandemic has had a devastating impact on America’s creative economy, including local theaters and performance venues. In a study conducted by the Brookings Institution, experts estimate losses of 2.7 million jobs and more than $150 billion in sales for creative industries nationwide, representing nearly a third of all jobs in those industries and 9% of annual sales, according to a news release from Kennebec Savings Bank.

The bank also dedicated funds from the grant to support organizations working to meet the demand for basic needs resulting from the pandemic.

Spectrum Generations receives grant to support program for the aging

Spectrum Generations, along with Maine’s Aging and Disability Resource Center, have been awarded a $15,000 grant from the Maine Health Access Foundation.

Spectrum Generations’ Adult Day and Community Support Services program is an alternative to more expensive assisted-living services. Anyone who is  disabled or cognitively impaired may attend for an hourly fee. Financial assistance is available for individuals who meet certain requirements. Spectrum Generations’ central Maine communities centers are located in Belfast, Hallowell, Skowhegan and Waterville.

Bangor Savings Bank Foundation gives $576,000 to nonprofits

The Bangor Savings Bank Foundation has awarded $576,000 to various Maine and New Hampshire-based organizations. A total of $251,000 will be granted this year, with another $325,000 to be distributed annually until 2025.

Twenty-one nonprofits received grant awards. Among their services are educational programs, food security, building maintenance and restoration, and mental and physical health assistance.

The LifeFlight Foundation in Camden is set to receive $250,000 ($50,000 annually for five years) to bolster its goal of providing access to critical care and medical transport. The Good Shepard Food Bank in Auburn, will get $100,000 ($25,000 over four years) for its efforts to eliminate hunger in Maine.

Other grantees include the American Red Cross in Portland; Bangor’s Zillman Arts Museum; the Maine Children’s Home For Little Wanderers in Waterville; the Maine Farmland Trust in Belfast; and the Maine Maritime Academy in Castine.

Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association opens permanent store

The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association’s new store is now open in Freeport. The Maine Organic Marketplace is located at 55 Main Street, in the old Bartol Library. The store aims to support Maine’s producers through the sale of local and organic products, and will also double as an educational space for MOFGA programming.

The retail space offers Common Ground Country Fair and MOFGA merchandise, along with hand-crafted goods from local vendors and MOFGA-certified organic producers. Shoppers can peruse and purchase maple products, tea towels, goat’s milk soap, body care products, teas, and more.

New Dimensions Federal Credit Union named as one of Forbes’ Best-In-State

Waterville’s New Dimensions Federal Credit Union has been named one of Forbes Best-In-State Credit Unions for 2021. The list is based on surveys of some 25,000 U.S. consumers who rated their relationships with financial institutions. Participants assessed credit unions in the areas of trust, terms and conditions, branch services, digital services, and financial advice. There are over 5,000 credit unions nationwide. Only 3.6% made the Forbes list.

For more business news, visit CentralMaine.com.

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