LEWISTON – FISC Solutions, a business-support company that has operated from downtown offices for 25 years, landed its biggest customer Thursday.

FISC, which processes checks, bills and performs other payment and back-office services, signed a contract with FairPoint, the communications company poised to acquire Verizon’s land line operation in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. The $1 million deal will bring 700,000 pieces of mail monthly into the Lisbon Street facility and require the addition of 10 new FISC employees.

“We’re thrilled with this opportunity,” said Carol Sabasteanski, FISC president. “FairPoint is putting its money where its mouth is and demonstrating its commitment to this state.”

The North Carolina-based company is waiting on regulatory approval of its $2.7 billion acquisition of a portion of Verizon. But CEO Gene Johnson said they are so confident of approval that FairPoint is spending $100 million in anticipation of the approval. Partnering with FISC is part of the preparation for taking over Verizon’s northern New England operation; the deal is contingent on regulators approving the acquisition, which is expected in January.

“We interviewed a lot of companies (for this contract),” said Johnson, noting it was a very competitive process. “One of the key criteria was a commitment to buying locally if we could.”

Johnson said he was impressed with the willingness of FISC’s staff to meet FairPoint’s strict customer service requirements, and its well-regarded reputation.

“When you do business with larger companies, you come to expect a certain level of quality,” Johnson said. “I have no doubt about FISC’s ability to meet that.”

The contract will increase the volume of mail FISC processes for payment by about 70 percent, Sabasteanski said.

The relationship could mean more jobs and more business for FISC as other contracts for support operations expire, Johnson said.

“We look forward to a long-term local relationship,” he said.

The 10 new jobs are full-time processing positions. The company currently employs 82 full-timers and about 20 part-timers.

Sabasteanski said it was particularly gratifying to know FISC was awarded the contract based on its merit.

“All things being equal, FairPoint wanted to contract with a local company, but all things had to be equal,” she said. “We had to negotiate and show we could do the work at a competitive price. Plus with our track record and know-how, we were able to compete and succeed.”