Join us for a look at some of what happened in the Aroostook County business world throughout 2025. This week we feature some of the highlights from January through June. July through December will appear next week.
January
Colton Walker Hayes, the first baby born in 2025 at Northern Light AR Gould Hospital in Presque Isle, was delivered at 12:20 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 7. Colton was 7 pounds, 5 ounces and 19.5 inches long at birth. He is the son of Amanda Carmichael and Jerry Hayes of Blaine.
The Long Lake Bar and Grill LLC of St. David closed due in part to several poor snowmobile seasons in recent years that have cut into its business. The announcement came ahead of the Long Lake Ice Fishing Derby’s 20th anniversary.
Irving Forest Products took over the Masardis sawmill, which had been owned by Groupe Lebel of Quebec. The mill employs 80 workers and has an annual capacity of 115 million board feet.
The Maine Rural Water Association presented the Outstanding Wastewater Operations award to the Caribou Utilities District at their 44th Annual Conference.
February
Acadia Federal Credit Union announced the creation of the Peter Saucier Memorial Scholarship, a $5,000 award. Saucier was a beloved board member and volunteer with more than 28 years of service.
Dana Allison of Castle Hill and her granddaughter, Persephone Bennett of New York, published their children’s book, “Snowflake, The Little, WhiteKitty, Disappears.” Allison wrote the story of a missing cat and its return home, while Bennett illustrated.
Catholic Charities Maine announced that Jon Blanchard had been named the new program director of hunger and relief services, a position formerly held by DIxie Shaw.
The County Co-op & Farm Store of Houlton, a member-owned cooperative, was growing financially at a rate of 20 percent a year after three friends managed to open the Market Street store in 2013. The co-op has grown into a flourishing community hub known for local food, artisan works, vegetarian meals, breads and coffee.
March
The Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce honored outstanding citizens during its annual dinner in Presque Isle. Honorees were Gary Marquis, superintendent of the Caribou Parks and Recreation Department, Citizen of the Year; Bike, Board and Ski of Presque Isle, Business of the Year – Economic Impact; Beaulieu’s Garage of Caribou, Business of the Year – Community Impact; and Lifetime Achievement Award, Joe Olore of Presque Isle.
TD Bank, one of the nation’s largest banks, said it would close 38 locations nationwide, including four in Maine: Houlton, Fort Kent, Fairfield and Gorham.
Northern Maine Community College students competed at the SkillsUSA Maine championships on March 13-14 in Bangor. Trystan Rioux earned gold in welding, Ashton Lagasse received silver in welding, Robbie Poiesz took gold in electrical construction wiring and Matt Chamberland earned silver in electrical construction wiring.
Bastion’s Tavern in downtown Houlton revamped its operation with a smaller staff, new owners, live interactive entertainment and food back on the menu. Life partners Kaitlynne Dorr and Logan Harvey took over the bar’s ownership from Harvey’s father, James Harvey.
April
Acadia Federal Credit Union promoted Erica Albert to executive vice president and chief financial officer. She shared the role with Joey Cannan until the retirement of CEO David Desjardins on July 1, at which time Cannan became CEO.
The North Maine Woods, a working forest and recreational area of 3.5 million acres of commercial forest and waterways, presented its Safe Trucker of the Year Award to Jim Eastman of Garfield.
The Southern Aroostook Development Corporation elected Levi Prosser as the organization’s new board president. Prosser stepped into the role following Josh McLaughlin, who served multiple terms as president over the past decade.
The Van Buren Town Council started seeking grants to transform the former municipal building on Main Street into a community connectivity hub and small business incubator. The project continued the town’s collaboration with students from Philadelphia’s Drexel University.
May
Ground was broken at the site of the Presque Isle International Airport’s new $38 million terminal. Officials from the city, JetBlue and the Maine Department of Transportation, along with legislative representatives and U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, attended.
Two previously unaffiliated Aroostook County hospitals entered into an agreement to share leadership under a new one-year agreement. NMMC President and CEO Jeff Zewe and Chief Financial Officer Aaron Teachout took on the same roles at Houlton Regional Hospital, representing a major new partnership.
Aroostook Partnership announced that Kiersten S. Purington was hired as president and CEO.
Steaks N’ Stuff, a grocery store owned by brothers Jimmy and Joe Donahue, closed its doors. The store, under various owners, was part of Presque Isle for decades.
June
The newest Leadership Aroostook class graduated 13 members, who focused on challenges including the lack of local childcare and attracting workers. The class was created by the Aroostook Partnership in conjunction with Husson University’s Institute for Strategic Leadership and Workforce Development.
The St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce & Tourism in Madawaska hosted its first ever food truck festival to kick off the summer farmers market series of events. The festival came as food trucks saw growing popularity throughout the region.
NorState FCU’s 2025 scholarship winners were: Preston Defratus (Wisdom High School), Damien DuMont (Washburn District High School), Carter Gagnon (Madawaska High School), Olivia Locke (Presque Isle High School), Sylvie Morin (Fort Kent Community High School), Ashley Ouellette (Madawaska High School), Haily Poulin (Ashland District School) and Rowan Tanguay (Fort Kent Community High School).
After nearly four decades of service to Northern Maine Community College, Smith Wellness Center Director Tom Richard retired. Richard had also served in residential life, as director of housing, director of human resources and assistant to the president.
