New business? Expansion? Promotions? E-mail information to weekly@bangordailynews.net, or mail it to The Weekly, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402; or drop it off at the front desk of the Buck Street entrance of the Bangor Daily News, 491 Main St., Bangor.

Bangor

Outdoor ceremony facility

The Spectacular Event Center catering company has completed the first stage of a new outdoor gazebo and tent reception area set to open next June.

The hexagon-shaped gazebo is nestled in a grove of white pines, and the gazebo area stone walls are topped with lanterns and edged with flower beds. The walkway is paved with stones. Possible uses for the area include weddings, ceremonies to renew wedding vows and photo sessions. For information, call 941-8700.

Bank transfer

Susan Dolloff has been transferred from the main branch of Bangor Savings Bank to the Waterville branch as assistant branch manager.

Dolloff has extensive banking experience and served in various capacities in the bank. She has been teller in Unity, customer service representative in Pittsfield, branch assistant at the Broadway branch, loan officer in Brewer and assistant manager of the bank at 3 State St.

She is a graduate of Winthrop High School and holds several certificates from the American Institute of Banking.

Marketing group partner

Susan R. Kaye has joined Linda Packard and Liane Judd at the Packard Judd Kaye marketing firm.

Kaye has 20 years of professional experience in strategic marketing and in health and human services. She received a bachelor’s degree at the Wharton School and a master’s degree from Columbia University. At Packard Judd Kaye, she will specialize in strategic marketing and marketing plan development.

Kaye serves on the boards of Freeman Housing Corp. and the Mabel Wadsworth Women’s Health Center, and is board secretary for the Jewish Community Council. She is a member of Women’s Collective of Bar Harbor, Friends of Maine Women’s Basketball and Maine Businesses for Social Responsibility.

To learn more about Packard Judd Kaye, call 990-2774.

USDA business director

USDA Rural Development announced that Michael W. Grondin of Bangor is the new Business and Cooperative Services Programs director. His duties will include planning, directing and coordinating technical and professional aspects of loan grants and guarantees relevant to Business and Cooperatives Services. These include business and industry loans, Rural Business Enterprise grants Rural Business Opportunity grants and other business loan programs.

Grondin is a 1975 graduate of the University of Maine and has worked for USDA Rural Development for nearly 30 years. He was promoted from his previous position as a multifamily housing specialist.

USDA programs director

USDA Rural Development has welcomed Ronald C. Lambert Jr. of Hartland as Community Programs director. Lambert was formerly senior Community Programs specialist. His primary responsibilities will include planning, directing and coordinating technical and professional aspects of loans, grants and guarantees of Community Programs.

Lambert has a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and resource economics from the University of Maine, and has worked for USDA Rural Development for 27 years.

Hermon

Energy saving incentive

When Jim Lynch, vice president of operations for Maine Commercial Tire Co., heard about Efficiency Maine’s cash incentives for small businesses, he thought of the company’s Hermon location.

The company has a retread manufacturing facility in Hermon, where employees sell and service new and retread tires.

Lynch learned about Efficiency Maine at an Associated Builders and Contractors meeting, and also read an article about it in the Bangor Daily News, EM officials explained.

Maine Commercial Tire purchased a new air compressor and, once its application was processed, received an incentive check for $6,500.

“We had a 75-horsepower old-style compressor that was a real energy drain,” Lynch said. “Our compressed-air vendor, DL Turrott Air Products, conducted an airflow study and monitored our kilowatt-hour usage. It was clear that an energy-efficient compressor with a variable-speed drive was the way to go. It only operates when we need it. The new compressor is expected to save us 81,000 kilowatt hours annually. The cash incentive made the project even more attractive.

“We had already been thinking about this project when we learned about the program,” Lynch said. “Having now seen what is offered, we are thinking about the lighting in our warehouse. I know it could be more efficient, and with the incentives this might be a good time for us to update it.”

The Maine Public Utilities Commission began the Efficiency Maine Small Business Program in April to help Maine business owners save electricity and money. Companies with 50 employees or fewer are eligible for the program. To learn how to apply, call (866) 376-2463 or visit www.efficiencymaine.com.