Central, western and midcoast Maine business owners honored by SBA

AUGUSTA — Several central, western and midcoast Maine businesses were among those honored by the U.S. Small Business Administration when it named its SBA Maine annual award winners.
Nat Peirce and Aaron Anker, Owners of Bountiful Berry Inc., dba GrandyOats, of Hiram, were named the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2020 Small Business Persons of the Year Award for Maine.
“Our annual awards are our opportunity to recognize the amazing work being done by Maine’s small businesses, and GrandyOats truly stands out,” said Amy Bassett, SBA district director for Maine. “We are especially thrilled to honor a business that has shown a great dedication to its community, providing good jobs and economic opportunity in rural Maine.”
GrandyOats manufactures certified organic granola, trail mix, roasted nuts and hot cereal. Their products are distributed through multiple distribution channels nation-wide at both the retail and wholesale level. The business also sustains a limited amount of export activity. All their products are made in small batches at their solar-powered bakery. GrandyOats is the largest employer in Hiram, Maine employing 35 people.
Nominated businesses selected as winners for the other categories are:
MAINE AND NEW ENGLAND HOME BASED BUSINESS OF THE YEAR: Sarah Lapine, Watershed Floral of Pownal;
MAINE AND NEW ENGLAND VETERAN OWNED SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR: Gregory Greuel, Wayside Publishing of Freeport;
MAINE JEFFREY BUTLAND FAMILY OWNED BUSINESS OF THE YEAR: Joel and Melissa Gilbert, Berry Fruit Farm, of Livermore Falls;
MAINE SMALL BUSINESS EXPORTER OF THE YEAR: Jodi Ann Breau, Dental Lace of Cape Elizabeth;
MAINE WOMAN OWNED SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR: Karen Gellis, Swim Lids of Saco;
MAINE YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR: Maddie Purcell, Fyood Kitchen, of Portland;
MAINE MINORITY OWNED SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR: Mariama Jallow, Mariama’s Beauty Supply, of Portland;
MAINE MICRO-ENTERPRISE OF THE YEAR: Robyn and Mike Sealander, Sealander Studio, of Ellsworth;
MAINE SMALL BUSINESS MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR: Heather Lux, True North Beauty, of Milo;
MAINE FINANCIAL SERVICES CHAMPION OF THE YEAR: Glen Holmes, Community Concepts Finance Corporation, of South Paris.