Downtown Lewiston has experienced a resurgence of energy unlike anything that’s happened in the last 30 years, and a major source of that vitality has been Tammie Grieshaber, recipient of the Community Service Leadership Award in recognition of those contributions.

Recently retired as the owner and curator of the Lyceum Gallery, an anchor of the renewed Lisbon Street community, Grieshaber has lived and worked in the heart of the revitalization environment, has been a prominent fixture in downtown activities such as the Artwalk Lewiston Auburn, and in many ways has been the personification of all that is new and exciting about the beating heart of L-A.

“Maine has an unbelievably large community of artists, both visual and performing artists, and most of them work ‘day jobs’ in local businesses,” Grieshaber said.

Speaking of the artists represented in her gallery, Grieshaber once said, “These artists are the creative force in so many of our businesses. That creative force is more than their demonstrated artistic talent as a musician, actor, photographer, painter or sculptor. That creative force is most powerful in their problem-solving, innovation, and strategic-planning skills,” and she has helped bring them the attention of an entirely new audience.

The Education and Workforce Development award represents the alignment of the interests of local business, community, and helping nourish the development of a trained workforce to support future economic growth and vitality. The 2015 award will be presented to the Lewiston Regional Technical Center.

The mission of the LRTC is “to provide all students with a quality education that embodies technical and academic excellence, professionalism, and social responsibility. Their work-based learning environment prepares graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and post-secondary education in the 21st Century.”

LRTC accepts students from Edward Little, Leavitt, Lewiston, Lisbon, Oak Hill and Poland Regional high schools, and partners with the local business community to ensure that employer needs will be met by a well-prepared workforce, and that students completing the program will have meaningful employment opportunities right here at home.

The Androscoggin Chamber is the largest regional chamber of commerce in Maine, and encompasses more than just L-A. There are special awards presented to businesses that represent the best in outlying communities.

The 2015 Lisbon Business Award will be conferred on Ron Partridge and Don’s Automotive repair. Partridge has been among Lisbon’s biggest local advocates, and the business is committed to bringing transparency and confidence especially to consumers nervous about car repairs, providing meticulous diagnosis of auto problems and a thorough explanation of what needs to be done.

Don’s provides a comprehensive online collection of frequently asked questions and answers to a variety of auto repair-related topics and proactively shares their knowledge about various auto repair topics in the effort to help customers better understand how a car works, how to identify problems with their car or truck, and other information that helps people feel better about getting their vehicles operating properly.

The decade-old Affordable Exhibit Displays is the recipient of the Greene Business Award. This family-owned company provides top-quality trade show display products to customers across the country and around the world, but it has also had a major impact on many of the exhibitors at L-A’s own annual B2B show.

AED offers the largest imaginable selection of table-top display units and they have the capacity to design, print, produce, package and ship booths and materials entirely in their own shop. The company is helping bring the 21st-century economy to rural Maine, and has in short order become a vital component of the regional business community.

Sue and Roy Forsberg are the new innkeepers of the Wolf Cove Inn, a relaxing and romantic bed and breakfast on Tripp Lake, and recipient of the Poland Business Award. Recently renovated, every room in the historic inn has been remodeled to provide an entirely new level of luxury. As part of the renovation process, the Forsbergs donated excess materials to the Poland Food Bank and to Habitat for Humanity.

The Inn was selected as a Top 10 Hidden Escape destination just last month, by BedandBreakfast.com, adding to its membership in BedandBreakfast.com’s Diamond Collection, an exclusive group of professionally inspected and guest-reviewed luxury inns.

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