LEWISTON – Against a backdrop of historic Maine-based businesses that have persevered through the ages, the Maine Development Foundation hailed two from Western Maine that share many of those enduring traits.

Representatives from Maine Machine Products in Paris and the Greater Franklin Development Corp. in Farmington received standing ovations as they accepted Champions of Economic Development awards from the foundation at its annual meeting here Friday. The main ballroom at the Ramada Inn was filled with people from Maine’s business, education, public policy and nonprofit sectors gathered to consider Maine’s future.

“Ours is a story of transformation,” said Laurie Lachance, president and chief executive officer of the foundation, which is dedicated to sustainable economic growth. Rather than seeing survival of the fittest as the biggest, strongest and most aggressive, “I’ve grown to appreciate survival of the fittest as meaning those most able to adapt to changes upon us.”

She cited BIW, Hannaford, L.L. Bean, Camden National Bank and Cianbro as examples of Maine businesses that have faced formidable challenges – some teetered on bankruptcy – and reinvented themselves to survive and thrive. One example: of the first 100 Maine hunting boots sold by L.L. Bean, 90 were returned as defective.

“His pivotal choice to honor his guarantee established L.L. Bean’s reputation for integrity, quality and unparalleled customer service,” Lachance said.

Combining innovation, hard work, creativity and collaboration has kept many Maine businesses operating, despite tough economic times. Facing a paucity of skilled labor for its precision manufacturing plant in Paris, Machine Products collaborated with Central Maine Community College to train its work force. The company pays full tuition for students in the machine tool program who come to work for them. Today, a third of its work force has been channeled through the two-year scholarship program.

“Absolutely this is the solution to the skilled labor shortage,” said David Sutton, business unit manager whose family founded the business in 1951.

President David MacMahon noted that MMP’s success is closely tied to its partnerships with CMCC, the state Department of Economic and Community Development, KeyBank and others.

“We recognize those partnerships and share this honor with them,” he said.

Collaboration is part of the Greater Franklin Development Corp.’s success as well. Executive Director Alison Hagerstrom said she was honored to receive the award for the economic growth group that has helped bring $4.5 million in new annual payroll to the area.

“We have been able to get that focus, to partner with organizations that strengthen each other rather than duplicating efforts,” said Hagerstrom, ticking off Maine & Co., the state Department of Economic and Community Development, Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments and Coastal Enterprises to name a few. “I think it’s worked out.”

She said the recognition is especially dear given that Franklin County “hasn’t been on the map for a long time,” in terms of economic development. A series of business and plant closings had cast a pall over the area that the corporation has worked hard to change over the past five years. Hagerstrom points to several new businesses and the Comfort Inn Suites that’s expected to open 88 rooms next year as evidence that things are turning around.

“People need to realize how great Franklin County is,” she said. “We have recreation, ski resorts, the lakes, an award-winning university … these are outstanding assets.

“I consider myself a promoter … can you tell?” she asked with a laugh.

Lachance calls her irrepressible, an example of the can-do attitude that defines successful innovators. Adding perseverance and a spirit of cooperation to it can produce a road map for economic development.

“Just imagine all that Maine is and all that Maine can be if we work together,” Lachance said.