Androscoggin Bank opens office in Guilford

GUILFORD — Lewiston-based Androscoggin Bank has opened a business development office in Guilford. The office, located in the former Guilford Medical Building, will be open by appointment at least one day a week starting Jan. 22. The purpose of this office is to provide treasury and government deposits, commercial and government loans, and asset management. Services provided by Androscoggin Bank and more.

“We are excited to open this office. Androscoggin Bank has strong government and commercial banking capabilities that we are bringing to Piscataquis County. , which we hope will benefit towns, schools, small businesses, and industry in the greater Piscataquis County area,” said Neil Keeley, president and CEO of Androscoggin Bank, in a Jan. 18 statement. He said this at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The building was renamed the CH Lightbody Municipal Center in memory of longtime local physician and community resident Dr. CH Lightbody. The Guilford Board of Selectmen proposed this new name to reflect the changing use of the facility.

The town plans to build a business development hub to support the local business community. In addition to Androscoggin Bank, the Eastern Main Development Corporation in Bangor will also send staff once a week to meet with local businesses seeking growth and development. EMDC offers business planning and small business lending expertise at its Bangor location, and will now provide those services directly to Piscataquis County.

“We are pleased to join Androscoggin Bank in this locally-led initiative to support small business growth.” We are available by appointment to meet with management to plan for power increases and access capital,” said EMDC President Lee Umphrey. “Similarly, EMDC is partnering with the City of Guilford to develop a comprehensive plan that will form the basis of an economic strategy for growth.”

In addition to EMDC and Androscoggin Bank, the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council and Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce will continue to support businesses in the area. “We look forward to each of us playing a role and having a presence at the CH Municipal Center to support community and economic development in this region,” he said. PCEDC Executive Director Angie Arno said Dennis Buzzelli, executive director of the Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce. commerce. Moosehead Lake Regional Economic Development Corporation President Margarita Contreni said her organization welcomes the opportunity to expand its collaboration with these organizations to support the Piscataquis County community and economy. “This is a great initiative and we are happy to be a part of it,” Contreni said.

There is a dire and chronic need for assistance in this region, especially in a coordinated manner. Piscataquis County had the lowest median household income of any county in Maine in 2022, and the second-highest unemployment rate. However, the county has continued to maintain the same or similar status compared to other counties in Maine for the past 25 years. Rising real estate values ​​in some parts of the county and the presence of many expensive vacation homes in scenic spots around Piscataquis County have not translated into a strong economy. Household incomes remain low and business growth is often driven by investors from outside the region. But local leaders believe there is potential to invest and grow locally.

“I think there are businesses here in Guildford that want to grow but need a little help to do so,” said Town Manager Johanna Turner, the architect of this new business development initiative. I did. “I believe that by working together, Guilford and Piscataquis County can grow and become more prosperous.”

Androscoggin Bank’s sales office is staffed every Monday by John Simko of Greenville and Angie Snow of Dover-Foxcroft. Mr. Simko is director of government banking and commercial and municipal lender at Androscoggin Bank. He has previously served as mayor of Greenville and Sangerville, and twice as president of PCEDC.

Mr. Snow is a financial analyst and former branch manager at Androscoggin Bank, and will join the bank’s government banking team in the near future. Together, they will be available weekly by appointment to meet with public servants and business owners seeking financial and lending services.

Neil Keeley, president of Androscoggin Bank, said he believes the initiative will be successful, saying, “The bank’s mission, vision and values ​​are aligned with serving communities such as Piscataquis County.” As the state’s only B Corporation bank, we are focused on the needs of the communities we serve. We look forward to working with our partners to support our communities.”

Headquartered in Lewiston, Androscoggin Bank has been independent for more than 150 years. In 2021, Androscoggin Bank became a Certified B Corporation, joining only a handful of other banks nationwide in meeting the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability. Ta. The bank is passionate about helping Maine business owners improve their economic lives and continue to drive economic growth in the state. Androscoggin Bank is dedicated to helping Maine communities thrive, and last year he invested more than $340,000 in charitable giving, grants and sponsorships across the state. Androscoggin Bank is a member of the FDIC. Follow the conversation on LinkedIn and Facebook.