The city of Portland and its development arm, the Portland Development Corp., will recognize three local businesses Tuesday for the economic vitality they bring to the city.

The Portland Farmers’ Market Association, Winxnet and Sea Bags will be honored at a reception at the Ocean Gateway on Commercial Street starting at 4:30 p.m.

“Each of these businesses has made (an) indelible impact on the city and its economy, and it’s exciting to see them get this deserved recognition,” Mayor Michael Brennan said in a news release announcing the awards. “Whether it’s an information technology company, community-supported agriculture that encourages us to benefit from Maine’s bounty, or a small business that is making reclaimed materials fashionable, it’s clear that Portland has a lot to be proud of.”

Receiving the 2015 Economic Development Achievement Award is the Portland Farmers’ Market Association. Over the last several years, the cooperatively run nonprofit, formed by 43 farmers of the market, has been managing, promoting and growing the market. In 2011, it launched a winter market, enabling locally sourced food and goods to be sold year-round.

The market has been recognized by Travel & Leisure magazine as one of America’s Best Farmers’ Markets, and is one of the longest-running markets in the country – now in its 247th year of operation, beginning in 1768, according to the release.

Receiving the 2015 Business of the Year Award is Winxnet, an IT outsourcing and consulting firm with offices across New England and the Southeast. It works with corporations, health care organizations, nonprofits and public sector entities to secure information, troubleshoot and keep systems and devices operational. In 2015, Winxnet was named to Inc. magazine’s “Inc. 5000” list for the fourth consecutive year and has supported a great deal of its growth with an aggressive acquisition strategy. The company now employs more than 100.

The 2015 Small Business of the Year is Sea Bags, which since 1999 has been making stylish totes and other accessories from reclaimed sailcloth. Last year, Sea Bags saved more than 2,800 sails from going into a landfill and estimates recycling over 500 tons of sails since the company started. Headquartered on Custom House Wharf, Sea Bags products are now sold at five Sea Bags retail stores, online at www.seabags.com, and through more than 900 retailers across the country. The company employs almost 50 people. It was also named the 2015 Retailer of the Year by the Retail Association of Maine.

All three award recipients will be recognized at the PDC’s annual event by Brennan, members of the PDC, Portland City Council members, City Manager Jon Jennings, city economic development staff and members of the city’s business community.

Copy the Story Link