By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

Like many high school athletes, Justin McIver learned it takes a team, not just one person, to achieve success.

When Main Eco Homes was named one of four Maine companies to receive the 2023 Governor’s Award for Business Excellence, McIver credited his MEH team, as well as the Bridgton community, as the reason the state selected the local company as one of its honorees.

“It was one of the most amazing moments — the biggest moment — in my career. One of the biggest in my life. The first thing that I said is, ‘I’m so happy for my team because they work so hard every day. Hard work pays off, and what we’re doing, it matters and we’re making a difference.’ We embrace this and celebrate this as a team victory for the Bridgton community,” McIver said. “One person can’t do it. It’s people coming together with different skill sets to be able to achieve things. It truly takes a community to make a difference.”

Governor Janet Mills last week honored four Maine businesses — including Main Eco Homes of Bridgton — with the 2023 Governor’s Award for Business Excellence. Awards were presented during a ceremony at the Blaine House postponed from late December.

Since its creation by former Governor McKernan in 1991, the prestigious annual award has recognized and celebrated Maine businesses with a high level of commitment to their community, their employees, and to exemplary performance in the manufacturing or service professions.

This year, awards were given in celebration of Maine businesses that consistently strive for excellence, even during global challenges. Honored along with Main Eco Homes were Elmet Technologies, Compotech, and TimberHP.

“Through their success in the business world and direct investments in their employees, their communities, and our state, each of these extraordinary Maine businesses are helping to make Maine the best place in the nation to live, work, and raise a family,” Governor Mills said.

“The Governor’s Award for Business Excellence celebrates the contributions of Maine businesses to Maine people and our state's economy,” said Heather Johnson, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic & Community Development. “It is one of Maine’s most prestigious business recognition awards, and I congratulate each of these recipients. I look forward to following their continued success.”

The 2023 Governor’s Award for Business Excellence were presented in four categories:

• The Rural Revitalization Award, which recognizes contributions to the revitalization and growth of Maine’s rural regions. The award went to Main Eco Homes.
• Main Eco Homes (MEH) is a general contractor and custom home builder specializing in the construction of energy efficient, environmentally friendly homes and commercial buildings.
• Established in 2009, the company was built with the goal of creating a healthy community — physically healthy, economically healthy, and psychologically healthy. MEH has done this by constructing more than 250 homes, 60 cottages in a 55-plus community, more than 200 rental units, a health & wellness center called Soleful Health Club, a free community concert series, as well as multiple commercial buildings, with plans to construct Makers Mill Development in downtown Bridgton that includes a brewery, market café, retails shops along the river, Makers Co-op space, apartments, and office space. Also, MEH is planning to build a 66-room boutique hotel in the downtown on the river with access to Highland Lake, all to revitalize Bridgton, Maine.
• Main Eco Homes was recognized as the “Best Place to Work” by Maine Biz in 2021, 2022, and 2023.

In accepting the award, MEH owner Justin McIver said, “Truly an honor to stand before you today. Governor Mills, thank you and your staff for the incredible work that you’re doing for our state. I’m humbled to accept the Governor’s Award for Business Excellence. On behalf of my team and the wonderful community, Bridgton past and present, our success is a testament of the extraordinary individuals in this village dedicated to making a difference. Every day at Main Eco Homes, our mission extends beyond constructing beautiful custom homes and buildings. We aim to build not just structures, but to build people and a sustainable community for generations to come.”

McIver added, “Bridgton, a hidden gem and a destination town was in need of a revival. Witnessing dilapidated buildings, we envisioned a thriving hub for businesses, families, and visitors, a place that preserves its charm while meeting the needs of today and tomorrow. Our goal is to not change Bridgton, but to revitalize it, restoring the vibrancy of its days.”

McIver talked about MEH’s scope of work, noting, “We see it as our duty to leave our community better than we found it. Fostering an outward focus of helping neighbors without expecting anything in return. Looking ahead, we are excited to continue partnering with the community, serving as a model business for collaborative efforts to revitalize and rebuild rural towns in America.”

He applauded members of the MEH team for their leadership and hard work; his family; and “everyone in our unique community. We couldn’t do it without all of you.”

When asked what makes the MEH team special, McIver said, “They have the heart of champions. They care and want to make a difference. They’re extraordinary people. That can also be said for the people of Bridgton, who have done things to make this community better.”

McIver said the MEH culture is based on “working with a bigger purpose than just ourselves.”

While the MEH team (28 in number) builds homes and commercial structures, it has a bigger mission.

“Our mission is to help revitalize and help to build the best community in Maine,” he said. “I think this award is just as much about Bridgton as it is about Main Eco Homes. It’s a tribute to how efforts are making Bridgton a successful and healthy community. How as a team — all of us coming together — we can leave this a better place for future generations. This award is a testament to the positive changes that we’re making as a village together — from the townspeople (investing in the wastewater system and streetscapes), the town departments and all the different businesses. There’s a lot of great things going on in this town because people are willing to care and invest in themselves to make this special community a better place.”

The award, McIver added, is acknowledgment by state leaders that Bridgton’s transformation is worth a look by other communities.

“This is an award for everybody, for Bridgton as a whole. Let’s keep the momentum going. I believe in Bridgeton so much. I believe in the people,” McIver said. “I’ve learned a lot from listening to different viewpoints. And I think everybody can offer something. It takes a community to build a great community — which is why I truly believe this award is a testament to MEH and Bridgton.”

The Innovation Award, which celebrates and recognizes business excellence through entrepreneurship and innovation. The award went to Compotech Inc., which is a premier defense technology company focusing on transforming the U.S. military’s capabilities through innovative hardware and software solutions.

• Compotech saves lives by developing cutting-edge products and technology to protect American soldiers. The company’s work includes a strong focus on the U.S. military’s capabilities through innovative blast and ballistic proof hardware, re-deployable shelters, and software solutions to ensure the safety of our service members.
• In 2023, the company was able to double its revenue and bring on 20-plus new employees. In 2023, Compotech placed as #990 on the prestigious INC. 5000 list of America’s fastest growing privately-owned companies.

The Heritage Industry Award, which recognizes and celebrates business excellence in the agriculture, forestry, manufacturing, or marine sector. This award went to Elmet Technologies.

With a heritage dating back 94 years, Elmet Technologies is the last and only 100 percent U.S. owned and operated, fully integrated manufacturer of pure molybdenum and tungsten products. Serving a wide range of markets, they operate in over 210,000 square feet of manufacturing space at their Lewiston headquarters.

Established in 1929 as The American Electro Metal Corporation, Elmet Technologies was known for decades as the leading manufacturer of light bulb filaments, producing more than a billion filaments per year. Today, they produce items such as shaped parts that stabilize airplane wings, high precision components for satellite applications, collimators and electrodes for CT scan machines, and more.

The Climate Leader Award, which recognizes business leadership, innovation, or excellence in mitigating climate risks or developing new technologies to combat climate change. The award went to Go Lab, Inc. d/b/a TimberHP, which is an innovation company in Maine’s heritage forestry products industry. They manufacture high-performing wood fiber insulation that is healthy for people and the planet.

After GO Lab, Inc. purchased the former UPM paper mill in Madison, it was later renovated in 2021 and TimberHP became the first wood fiber insulation manufacturer in North America. The mill’s revitalization utilized an otherwise aging infrastructure in Madison and created a new employment opportunity for a community with multi-generational ties to the state’s forest products industry.