STATE — Main-Land Development Inc. of Livermore Falls is the only local business winning the distinction of “Best Places to Work in Maine” this year.

The Maine State Council of the Society for Human Resources Management (MESHRM) last week announced the winners in the 13th annual “Best Places to Work in Maine” program.

Main-Land is an engineering, surveying and environmental sciences consulting company. Owner Bob Berry purchased the company from Darryl Brown in 2012.

Berry purchased Murray Hall from Verso Paper in 2015. The company moved there from its Church Street location in 2016.

“I’m super excited,” Berry said Friday afternoon. “Our chief difficulty in business is finding and attracting people who can work for us. I knew we had something special. I didn’t realize how special until we got this award.”

Berry said the award is due to his team.

“Our staff is fantastic. Their loyalty and dedication to each other shows. I’m hoping this award will help us find new staff and will help us prop up our region,” he said. “We’re just a little company. Maybe it will inspire someone to start something.”

Berry said this is the first time he applied for the award. His administrative team pulled together lots of information for the application forms. A survey was sent to all employees.

“At least 80 percent of the staff had to respond. The award was based on those surveys,” he said.

Main-Land has 17 employees. Berry is hiring now.

2018 “Best Places to Work in Maine,” in the greater Franklin County area:

SMALL EMPLOYER CATEGORY (15-49 U.S. EMPLOYEES)

Main-Land Development Consultants, Inc., Livermore Falls

MEDIUM EMPLOYER CATEGORY (50-249 U.S. EMPLOYEES)

University Credit Union, branch in Farmington

LARGE EMPLOYER CATEGORY (250 OR MORE U.S. EMPLOYEES)

Androscoggin Home Healthcare + Hospice, serves clients in the greater Franklin County area

Bangor Savings Bank, branch in Farmington

TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, branch in Farmington

The “Best Places to Work in Maine” list recognizes companies that have established and consistently fostered outstanding workplace environments. The organization that manages the program, Best Companies Group, gathered information from all registered organizations including employee benefits, workplace policies and employee responses to a comprehensive satisfaction survey.

Participating companies receive an Employee Feedback Report in an effort to help them improve their scores. The report summarizes employee engagement and satisfaction data and includes employees’ written comments. The report is used by many organizations to make significant improvements in their workplace culture.

The program is part of a long-term initiative to encourage growth and excellence in companies throughout the state.

The 75 winners, split into different size categories, will be revealed in ranked order at an awards celebration on 5 p.m. October 9 at the Augusta Civic Center. A complete list of top companies will be featured in a statewide publication produced by Mainebiz.

pharnden@sunmediagroup.net

Copy the Story Link