SOUTH PORTLAND – For the first time the South Portland Economic Development Committee has handed out business awards in five categories. During a ceremony last week the following awards were given out:

• Small Business of the Year – Scratch Baking Co.

• Community Impact – Willows Pizza and Restaurant

• New Business of the Year – OTTO Pizza

• Business of the Year – Casco Bay Steel Structures, Inc.

• Business Leader of the Year – Michael Dubyak, president and CEO of WEX

During the award ceremony, Mayor Gerard Jalbert said, “South Portland has seen tremendous growth over the past year. These winners signify the best of the best in helping to make the South Portland business community thrive. We are thrilled to take this opportunity to honor them.”

And City Manager Jim Gailey added, “South Portland has everything from small mom-and-pop shops to international businesses. That is part of what makes us special and a great place to be in the state of Maine.”

Jon Jennings, the city’s assistant manager and economic development director, said the idea for the new business award program came from the Economic Development Committee, which wanted to recognize the business community. The committee chose the winners and established the five categories.

Jennings also said that, “South Portland is fortunate to have a vibrant business community that contributes to the overall city in numerous ways. The Economic Development Committee thought it was important to recognize the companies who call South Portland home.”

– Kate Irish Collins

Casco Bay Steel has won the inaugural Business of the Year Award from the city of South Portland. Pictured is Bryon Tait, company president, left, and Steve Bushey, member of the South Portland Economic Development Committee.