PARIS – With all the talk about this plant closing, another cutting back and still another in trouble, the public might think economic development in the Oxford Hills is at a standstill, said Marge Medd, chairman of the EnterpriseMaine Board of Directors.

Not so, said she and other board members and staff of EnterpriseMaine at a Tuesday annual awards dinner.

John Schiavi

Take John Schiavi, for example. As one of four Community Economic Development Award recipients, Schiavi has quietly made possible several significant projects, said Frank Shorey, EnterpriseMaine board member.

These include the expansion of Hand in Hand in 1995, the attraction of the ICT Group in 1997, the expansion of Northern Bedrooms in 2001 and, this year, the attraction of the CCS Co., a credit collection service.

“These deals would not have been possible without John’s leadership, his outstanding reputation and his commitment to the Oxford Hills community,” Shorey said.

A key supporter of the Growth Council since its founding in 1994, Schiavi has also contributed to the economy through his business ventures, including Schiavi Enterprises, Schiavi Homes, Viking Motors and Schiavi Leasing.

Saunders Brothers

Saunders Brothers has also helped out the Oxford Hills economy in a big way in recent years, according to Norway Savings Bank President Robert Harmon of the EnterpriseMaine board. The wood products company, through its ability to adapt and diversify, has taken a leadership role at National Wood Products, Kennebec Wood in Rumford, the recent reopening of Saunders Brothers mill in Locke Mills, and Keiser Industries, where expansion of production recently created 50 new jobs.

Because of its long-standing presence in Westbrook, “Many of you may not know this, but Saunders Brothers was founded at the turn of the century in Waterford by two brothers, Harry and Arthur Saunders,” Harmon said. The company has remained in family hands, and its new president, Josh Saunders, is the great-grandson of Harry Saunders.

KBS Inc.

More than 100 new manufacturing jobs were created this year with the opening of the new KBS facility on Route 26 in Paris, said Medd. The multimillion dollar investment in the modular housing industry “has strengthened our growing business cluster as the center of Maine’s manufactured building industry.” Medd presented the award to Bob Farnham, KBS Inc. president.

Oxford County Agriculture Society

Though the fair association was honored with a Community Development Award in 2000, EnterpriseMaine decided the agricultural society deserved another special recognition for its continued improvements to the fair. EnterpriseMaine Board member Brenda Birney said that rather than resting on their laurels after being named Maine’s Most Improved Fair, the society made a big push to raise funds and collect donations to build a pari-mutuel harness racing track. The track, the first to be built in Maine since 1946, was a big draw at this year’s fair. Birney presented the award to Suzanne Grover, Oxford County fair organizer.

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