Augusta – Four central Maine businesses have been named in the second annual Best Places to Work in Maine program by the Society for Human Resource Management’s Maine State Council. A total of 25 Maine companies were named.

The local companies were Manpower-Maine of Auburn, Norway Savings Bank in Norway, Oxford Federal Credit Union in Mexico and Oxford Networks in Lewiston.

The event recognizes companies that have established and consistently fostered outstanding workplace environments, and is presented in conjunction with the Best Companies Group, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, the Maine Department of Labor, JobsInME.com, Employment Times, Mainebiz, Verrill Dana and ProSearch.

The assessment process, administered by the Best Companies Group and Modern Think LLC, incorporated a company’s employee policies and procedures as well as responses from the company’s employees. The program marks the most recent step in a long-term initiative to encourage growth and excellence throughout all Maine companies.

Rankings will be formally announced and honored on Oct. 2 at an awards and recognition reception and dinner at the Augusta Civic Center. Further details about the Best Places to Work in Maine program can be found online at www.bestplacestoworkme.com.